What Should I Eat? Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, POTS, Fibromyalgia
At the start of 2025, I hired a personal trainer who provided me with an easy method to track and weigh my food, helping me keep my meals well-balanced.
I have tried a different variety of diets throughout the course of my illness. I tried cutting out certain things, and nothing change. There were attempts of adding new foods that had claims of helping people with my issues, and nothing changed. I even cut out coffee for a while, and nothing change.
It took me a while to get to where I am now, but I have managed to get my system more regulated. Techniques such as havening helped tremendously. I am beginning to find that my body is able to digest food a little bit better now. In the beginning of all of this though, it was a real mess.
Some Insights
I certainly don’t have all the clear-cut answers for navigating chronic illness however, I do think there are a few things worth mentioning for anyone who might be looking for guidance or insight, especially when dealing with digestion issues.
You want to eat foods that are easy to digest. Things like rice, toast, and cooked foods are easy things for your system. Apple sauce is really easy to digest as are bananas and baked or boiled potatoes. Lean meats like skinless chicken, turkey, or tender cuts of beef are suitable. Cooked fish is easier than some meats to digest. Eggs that are Scrambled or poached are soft and gentle on the stomach.
I really enjoy smoothies, and they’ve been great for my digestion. Since the ingredients are blended, they’re easier on the gut and give your system a bit of a break. The key is to make sure you’re having a portion that works for your body. Personally, I can put down a giant 36-ounce smoothie, but that’s not for everyone. Try to keep it manageable and avoid overdoing it. I also like to add a little protein powder to help me meet my daily protein needs. I do have to be careful about which kind of protein powder I use though; whey powder seems to make me constipated. Vegan protein powder that oddly does not do this.
One type of food you may want to avoid is anything raw. Raw fish, for example, can be much harder on the digestive system. This was a major bummer for me because I really love raw fish. The other day, I tried some lox and bagels, which my diet plan includes. Unfortunately, it threw off my digestion for almost two days.
At that point, my digestion had been on a really good track, so I was relieved that I could quickly pinpoint what caused the issue. Still, it was a clear reminder that my body just isn’t ready for certain foods yet. As much as I enjoy them, I have to hold off on things like raw fish for now and continue listening to what my body needs.
You also want to avoid fried foods and be mindful of diary intake. Citrus fruits and tomato-based products are high in acid, which can cause heartburn and discomfort in the stomach lining. I don’t have issues necessarily to foods like these but everyone is different.
It is important also not to overdo it with caffeine. I allow myself one cup of coffee a day and that is it. for a while at toward the end of 2024 I was developing a habit of drinking coffee all day and didn’t really realize how much it was wrecking me by the end of the day. I’m not an energy drink person but I would advise against anything like that unless it’s a small amount and it’s early in your day.
Also, be careful with extreme dietary changes. I had a pretty bad experience with the keto diet. Just make sure you take things slow.
Interesting YouTube Link
Revealing the Path to M.E/CFS Recovery: Debunking Extreme Diets and Nutrition
