Nutritional Guidelines for Fatigue

Certain health conditions and side effects of medications may cause or compound fatigue. When this occurs, the daily effort required to provide the body with the nutrients it needs can feel like a chore.

In addition, the energy required by work, shopping, and household tasks and the stress that such daily activities can cause may further compound fatigue.

A person experiencing this type of persistent fatigue is likely to encounter difficulties in maintaining nutritional eating habits.

If you are experiencing fatigue, the following dietary and behavioral guidelines may help you to get through the tired times while maintaining healthful daily nutritional intake:

• Eat at least some breakfast every day, especially if you tend to experience low energy in the afternoon.

• Foods that are easy to prepare, such as granola bars, pop tarts, toast with peanut butter and jelly, and frozen waffles with syrup, are recommended. For more recommendations, consult the High-Calorie/High-Protein Menu

• Drink fortified milkshakes or try nutritionally complete products to help meet your body’s daily dietary requirements and to give you energy.

• Nutritionally complete products are available in a variety of flavors and forms (bars, beverages, puddings, soups), and most provide the calories, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals that you normally obtain through a diet of natural foods.

• You can find nutritionally complete products (such as Ensure, Sustacal, and Boost) in your local grocery stores and pharmacies.

• Always keep ready-to-eat snacks on hand, such as canned fruit, crackers and cheese, ice cream, and peanut butter. When your energy is low, small snacks that require little time and effort to prepare provide easy ways to get nutrients you need.

• Take advantage of the times when you feel energetic by preparing large quantities of food that you can freeze in individual portions.

• On days when you feel too tired to cook, defrost and heat the food for meals.

• Try the frozen meals available in grocery stores. Make sure each meal includes a meat or protein source, a vegetable serving, and a fruit serving for complete nutrition.

• Order take-out foods, use restaurant delivery services.

• Accept the kindness of friends and family who offer to cook for you.

• Use disposable plates, cups, and eating utensils for easy cleanup.

• Be sure to get enough sleep. If you are having difficulty sleeping, ask your doctor for help.