by definition. People often think malnutrition means a person is very underweight. But, obesity is another symptom of malnutrition. I have yet, to meet an obese person who is getting all the nutrients they need and doesn't have other health issues. One example that is the most benign symptom of nourishment that is so common that most people think it is normal, that is irritability. Not everyone that is overweight will show irritability, many mask the pain. But, this is something a lot of normal weight people have as well and they may also be malnourished without having obesity as a symptom. These people might be what Covert Bailey calls skinny fat, at least he was the first I had seen using this term. Skinny fat is just as dangerous as obesity, but it is more insidious as the person who is skinny fat may erroneously believe he or she is healthy. This type is most often sedentary and eats few calories and is very likely malnourished both calorically and in basic nutrients like protein or fat, probably not carbs.
What I have found in my journey to shake chronic fatigue is that this issue goes much deeper than weight. Weight is the visible symptom the one that makes you a target for jokes and the overly concerned. I am thinking our obsession with calories is the main culprit in the epidemic of obesity. I see to many products on the shelves in stores claiming to be low fat or some such thing that you are supposed to avoid to become thin. And that is just what it is a push to try to get people who are overweight or obese to slim down. It isn't a push to get people all people thin or fat to eat healthier, I don't think we even know what it means anymore.
We have lost our way. Most food is not food. It makes me cry. Everywhere I go there is always Not Food around. That is what I call sugary, fat, hormone and antibiotic contaminated food. Because when too much sugar and or fat is in foods and you combine that with antibiotics and growth hormones you have literally a recipe for disaster.
The solution sounds simple, but it isn't particularly if you are already very ill. The reason is eating healthy is a lot of work. So if you are like me and already have chronic fatigue the prep work alone on healthy food can be daunting. So, without further ado, I will roll out the solution which everyone already knows.
1. More fiber. The more the merrier. 28 grams is minimum, but just a few more reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, and obesity by a large percent. The amount it reduces the risk varies a great deal for each type of cancer, so I will not bombard this with a slew of statistical risk reductions. I would recommend more than 30 grams which will help nearly anyone with weight control.
2. More fruits and vegetables, especially more vegetables. Most will help you reach your fiber goals and they also help add volume to food tricking your body into thinking you have consumed more than you have. Your body will measure the volume of food you eat, not how many calories if you don't get enough volume it triggers hunger in many people.
3. Try to go for zero processed food other than what you process yourself at home. This way you know what is in your food how much and it is very likely going to be much healthier than the chemical concoctions they sell you at the grocery store. In any case reducing these foods is a health must, so avoid Not Foods.
4. Try to reduce animal products including dairy and eggs. My first glimmer of hope of getting back to a normal energy level occurred when I stopped eating meat. My mood improved and I had slightly less brain fog. Not significantly less, but enough to notice and make me feel a bit better. I was still eating very unhealthily for example I was still buying crappy pizza and calling it food. I wasn't eating a lot of vegetables either so my diet was basically carb based. What has really kicked my energy into gear was increasing my fiber and eating more vegetables.
Sorry about the long post, but that is another victory for me. Just a month ago I wouldn't have been able to concentrate this long to write something like this.
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