The Relationship Between Diet and Fatigue

Senior Health  |  March 5, 2021

What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB Needs to Know About Diet and Fatigue

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.

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.

The Relationship Between Diet and Fatigue: Benefits of Healthy Eating

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.

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.

The Relationship Between Diet and Fatigue: The Right Foods

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.

The Relationship Between Diet and Fatigue and Your Senior Loved One

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® in Edmonton Can Help with In-Home Elder Care!

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

Comfort Keepers®’ are trained caregivers who help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. 

Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Moreover, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality: empathy. Empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. 

Home Care Edmonton

To learn more about senior care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office to discuss our unique service offering. If you live in Devon, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, or Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact Comfort Keepers at 780-465-4665.

Is Invoicing Modelling and Client Direct Home Care the Right Option for You?

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing (CDHCI) Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. Read more about the program HERE.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. Recently awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada, our Edmonton location has achieved the highest available certification in Canada for Home Care services, clearly demonstrating Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton.

^{References:
Andrews, Jill. Livestrong.org (2011). Food to fight fatigue. Retrieved on March 22, 2012 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/375604-food-to-fight-fatigue/.
Tree.com. Healthy eating: diet and fatigue. Retrieved on March 22, 2012 from http://www.tree.com/health/chronic-fatigue-treatment-diet.aspx.
Psychologytoday.com (2003 / 2011). Fighting fatigue with diet. Retrieved on March 22, 2012 from http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200310/fighting-fatigue-diet.}

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