The Relationship Between Diet and Fatigue

Health Eating for Seniors  |  September 14, 2021

What Every Senior in North Vancouver and West Vancouver Needs to Know About How Diet and Fatigue Are Related

The Relationship Between Diet and Fatigue | The adage “you are what you eat” is well known, but have you ever really thought about what it means? We all know a heavy pasta meal might make us tired in a few hours. Sugar gives some a rush, and caffeine may provide a temporary energy boost. But the cliché delves much deeper than that. “You are what you eat…” is one of the best pieces of advice you may find for maintaining good health. As healthy eating continues to push to the forefront of newsworthy topics, more Canadians of all ages are learning the value of consuming proper, well-balanced diets.

The Relationship Between Diet and Fatigue – Senior Health

Healthy eating cultivates good overall health; it potentially helps ward off some medical conditions; and it positively affects other conditions. For instance, those with diabetes can maintain better health when they follow the correct diet for that disease. People with high cholesterol can help improve that condition when following nutritional guidelines that aid in decreasing cholesterol levels.

Healthy eating is beneficial in other ways, both medical and non-medical, including battling fatigue. Knowing this may be of particular interest to the senior population who are prone to experience a lack of energy and increased fatigue due to medical conditions, medications, and the aging process, in general. To make it easy to understand, this analogy may help: your body needs the proper amount of nutrients to function best, very much like a car needs gasoline. Without a continual supply of nutrients and sufficient calories needed to perform both physical and mental activities, your body can become sluggish and tired daily. The subsequent lethargy can leave you feeling much like you have run out of gas.

The good news is – provided your lack of energy is not caused by a medical condition or medication – fatigue can easily be addressed by learning to eat well-balanced meals and snacks that contain enough calories and nutrients to keep your body in optimum health. Even if fatigue is caused by an underlying condition, medication or stress, eating well can help boost energy levels and counteract excessive tiredness.

The Relationship Between Diet and Fatigue – Healthy Foods

Simply eating to stave off hunger during the day is not sufficient. Also, keep in mind that if your body outperforms its caloric intake, this can cause increased tiredness. The foods that you choose to eat are essential. However, overeating can also cause fatigue, as it causes the digestive process to work overtime and can contribute to feelings of lethargy. The key to healthy eating is choosing key foods that contain adequate nutrients and consuming these meals or snacks in appropriate portions.

Nutrient-rich foods that can help fight fatigue are not hard to find. Opt for plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Vegetables should not be overcooked, as doing so causes a loss of nutrients. Red meat and spinach provide needed iron, while fish such as tuna or salmon contain omega-3 fats – all of which help fight fatigue. Proteins can also be obtained by consuming fish, lean meat and beans. Nuts offer a protein boost and are a good snack choice. Choose whole-grain pasta, rice, bread and cereal to complete a well-balanced, fatigue-fighting diet.

If you suspect your fatigue is due to poor eating habits, changing your diet may be all you need to feel energized daily. However, there are medical conditions that can cause fatigue. It is important to discuss this with your care provider to determine if your fatigue may be due to an underlying health issue. In the meantime, feel free to pursue healthy eating habits because the result will be a healthier you!

Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care Services!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care. Our senior care agency offers dementia care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Can Make a Difference with Interactive Caregiving™

Our team of expert in-home caregivers will strive to ensure your senior loved one has the best quality of life possible, bringing joy and good health to their home environment. Our Interactive Caregiving™ program ensures all needs in terms of safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday activities of home care services are met.

Quality and Accredited Elderly Care In-Home: Happier, Healthier, and at Home with 24/7 Care Opportunities!

Have you been thinking about Nursing Homes as a solution? Do you need Home Care in North Vancouver & West Vancouver for you or a loved one? Comfort Keepers® help seniors in North Vancouver and West Vancouver, along with the surrounding areas, to live happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes by providing quality, compassionate care, and safety technology solutions to preserve independence and contribute to a better life.

Moreover, our seasoned in-home caregivers are carefully chosen based on their quality of being empathetic. Our care centers around companionship for seniors. This is the kind of care that originates from the soul and allows us to meet our clients’ requirements. 

Contact the Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver office to learn more about our unique service offering.

Comfort Keepers®, the premium home care service for Seniors on the North Shore, was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. Achieving the highest available certification in Canada for Accredited Home care services demonstrates Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

^{References:
Andrews, Jill. Livestrong.org (2011). Food to fight fatigue. Retrieved on March 22, 2012
Tree.com. Healthy eating: diet and fatigue. Retrieved on March 22, 2012
Psychologytoday.com (2003 / 2011). Fighting fatigue with diet. Retrieved on March 22, 2012.}

Share This Post: