My mom recently bought me a Nutribullet mixer. It takes raw vegetables and fruits and converts them into a smoothie-like texture. I put kale in the bottom and then put a carrot and any kind of fruit I want with just a little water and in 45 seconds, I have a nutritious drink. They don't taste bad. They may look green, but they taste like whatever fruit I put in more than the veggies, I promise. I think they cost about $100, which can be a lot if you're struggling at all, but it's been a blessing for me because my diet was not good at all. I was eating whatever the kids were eating and that wasn't always the best thing for me. I only drink one Nutriblast a day and then eat what I make for my family in the evening. So, it's a thought. It doesn't take long at all because I know you can't stand in the kitchen too long. Blessings on you, dear. I pray for God's best for you.

Hi Nixie319, I feel your pain. It is extremely difficult to eat healthy let alone eat while you are feeling so bad from the symptoms of chronic fatigue. Almost immediately after I found that I had CFS, I started a restricted diet of no sugar or carbs to rid my body of yeast. I had to relearn how to eat. I never ate or liked fruit much before and loved carbs so this was difficult. I would eat a meat, veggie and fruit with every meal. You really have to think outside the box and put together meals that aren't traditional. I started feeling better within about two weeks (I have IBS too). I don't eat any fast food or Cokes now. If I eat any carb, I do it only on occasion. I found some crock pot recipes on the internet that give you the grocery list, how to prepare then freeze and how to put together in crock pot. It made about 40 meals. I had a friend help me with the shopping and chopping and bagging them for the freezer and then I just pull one out when I need dinner cooked. I have been doing some reading and it is suggested that we try the "stone age diet". This can be very difficult, but some CFS patients have done well with it. I would suggest you take baby steps to a healthier eating plan so you are not overwhelmed. Maybe you can start by only having 1 coke a day and one fast food a week. Only you know what you are able to do. I wish you well in your journey.

Hi Nixie,

Acording to my FM Md indicates that the diet for hypoglycemics is the same diet for FM suffers. I am including a link so you can have an idea of how to start.

http://www.wikihow.com/Change-Your-Diet-if-You-Have-Hypoglycemia

Best wishes and Hugs

Your friend

I think perhaps if you eat your smaller meals and then add a protein drink twice a day? something low carb liquid and protein powder.... you can mix it in a little shaker, they are inexpensive.

Homemade smoothies are good if you can manage to make them or if someone can do it for you. I use yoghurt and soft fruit in a blender.

If you don't yet have the energy to make smoothies everyday, try mixing it up with an ensure every other day.

You need to get some good nutrients into your body so you can start to work at getting better. :-)

I'm so glad you brought this up! I have been working on ways to stop the fast food/quick food cycle and get more nutrition into my meals, too.

First off, I know prepared food isn't the best for us, but it's definitely better than not eating, or subsisting on Doritos and cookies. (I've done it multiple times, but it is AWFUL!) So we keep a few frozen pizzas and pot pies in the freezer. They can save you in a pinch. I just turn off my inner critic and eat them when I need to.

I LOVE my slow cooker. It is SO easy to throw a large amount of meat in it, and have meat all week, as well as some to freeze. I recommend this even if there are only one or two people in the house, because of the freezeability. I get whatever meat - roast, pork, chicken parts - is cheap that week and I put it in the crockpot as is. You can add things if you have time, but you can just cook the meat without anything if that is all you can manage. Seasonings can be added later.

I also love my rice cooker and microwave. I make a large batch of brown rice every week. And it is SO easy to make boiled eggs in it. Barely any labor is involved here. Again, no seasoning is needed, just dump and time. And sometimes I bake some potatoes or squash. They can be microwaved, too.

Once you have protein and complex carbs out of the way, it is a lot easier to prepare veggies and fruit. You could even steam a large quantity in the microwave and use that all week. Raw veggies are pretty simple, and if you can get ones that don't require cleaning, you are one step ahead. Pre-chopped vegetables are usually available at the store, or use baby carrots, tomatoes, broccoli (one knife chop will render it mostly small enough to eat raw).

We use our pre-cooked protein and rice for rice bowls most of the time. You can vary them with different veggies and spices added when you heat them. Then we saute or steam whatever veggies are on hand and add that in. I also add in a raw vegetable, like peppers, green onion, tomatoes, etc. You can add any spices or sauces on top, but we usually just do salt & pepper & sriracha. You can add cheese, which makes this very filling.

This has worked well for me, and I try to stock up at least small amounts in the freezer for times when NO cooking is possible for me. That stock plus a few convenience foods makes it possible for me to eat at home much of the time, rather than ordering in. Saves money and I am getting fresh whole foods rather than processed stuff most of the time.

Frozen dinners because you can pop them in the oven or microwave and rest while you wait. If you're thinking for the family, try lasagne, pizza, stouffers has various large meals like enchiladas. For just yourself most stores have a natural section, try the frozen foods there. Then tend to have more fiber and vegetables.

The main point is that you are simply eating healthier than you have been. Any improvement is good.

If you can, have healthy snacks right next to you. A healthy snack right next to you may beat out sweets you have to get up to go get. Think fruits, vegetables, granola bars. I recomend Kashi - even their cookies are full of fiber. It's really good if you haven't had a cookie in a long time. If you have than it may be disappointing. The chocolate chip is best.

Oddly enough I have found that eating cold pieces of cheddar cheese can curb chocolate cravings. Makes no sense, but try it.

To make life easier, I steam veggies and eat protein (meat) and dinners done. I do this for lunch also. No energy, mess, no fuss. I've cut down on coffee; I'm down to 1 cup a day.

I bought Ginger root and make a tea outa that and add mulling spice and honey. I make it in the morning and put it in a thermos for later if nausea occurs; I also have this in place of another cup of coffee. I'm trying to cut out coffee completely. I luv to have tea in the evening.

For a snack, I bought protein bars, I have cherries and strawberries. I hope this is helpful.

Nixie, I used to be on the roller coaster of eating junk food so I can relate. I used to have severe hypoglycemic attacks, they always came after bindging on sugar and startch...
Like is previously mentioned, drink protein shakes or smoothies, will brighten up your day and give you more clarity and energy. The first thing you should completely eliminate from your diet is all bread, especially wheat, as this food group, stimulates craving for more carbs, try to curtail all soft drinks especially the ones with high fructose corn sugar, as this does the same thing, it turns off the mechanism in your brain that regulates hunger, so you just keep eating! (marvelous creation large corporations, that come up with these demonic ideas!)
But fisrt thing, get some good protein powder and start supplimenting your diet with about 20mg protein twice a day, and I think you will see improvement!

a sweet tooth can be from other hormones that may be low. If not then you might want to see a Naturopathic (NMD) to help you lose the sweet tooth. I have been thru this but it is now gone with the help of hormones and some great vitamins. When I don't have much stamina, I just have protein and just steam vegetables or protein and an avocado which is a light meal but filling. I have always liked vegetables. These are easy but healthy meals.

I have had to change my diet a lot since being diagnosed with CFS. The CFS makes me very hyperglycaemic and if I ever dip my toe into 'feeling hungry' my symptoms get really bad. I was really worried about gaining weight and gorging. A herbalist advised me to cut out wheat, cows milk/cheese/cream and all sugar apart from honey as these are all bad for ME/CFS sufferers. I also cut my caffeine intake as I was told the exacerbates CFS. It has been pretty easy actually! I buy soy milk instead, feta cheese, eat rice cakes instead of bread and we just don't eat pasta but rice or quinoa instead.

The sugar one is hard too sometimes, but if I have raisins, apples and whole nut peanut butter around I can snack and satisfy my sweet tooth without harming my health. My slow cooker is my lifeline as it provides our evening meal and when my energy is better in the day time I can put in whatever veg and meat and potatoes with stock and we have a delicious hot stew.
The rest of the day I just have rice cakes and humus and raw veggies and fruits. Oatmeal for breakfast is also really nutritious, I make mine with soy milk. I haven't had to think too much about it since I just substituted the 'bad' things with 'better.'

My recommendations would be to get a slow cooker/ Crockpot and just not buy the junk, if it's not in the house you can't eat it, buy raisins and fruits instead and drink herb teas instead of coke. It's hard for the first few days but then you don't even notice it or even want it after that. It has helped my symptoms go down and my skin is glowing. Best of luck with it all. Here is a link with more crockpot ideas...

http://whoneedsacape.com/2012/11/crockpot-freezer-cooking/http://kleinsis.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/its-nearly-time-lets-pepare/
http://www.stockpilingmoms.com/crockpot-recipes/

There are so many great suggestions here.
This is an ongoing challenge for me. It's good to be
reminded about the wheat, bread and the craving for carbs.
I'd like to cast my vote for the Nutribullet via Triunfadora,
sometimes they run specials on TV, two for one, if you can
find that ad. I make smoothies with mostly greens, cukes,
lettuce, parsley, avocado, almond milk , sometimes nuts,
celery if you like greens. They're really good. It's good for
anything. It comes with a recipe book which will give you
ideas for years to come. Love that book.
good wishes with everything.

The nutribullet website sells the 2 for 1. It breaks out to be about $89 each. We love ours. It's great because it breaks everything down.

Hi Nixie - The truth is, in addition to what everyone else has said, is that the more sugars and carbs (wheat) yo eat, the more your body will want it. So you need to gradually cut back on that to the point where you have it occasionally as a treat. If you gotta have something sweet, try KIND BARS. Some of the better markets carry them and you can get whole boxes of them at discount at Costco. They are filled with nuts, dried fruit, and honey, coconut. No other junk.
Also, if the meals on wheels foods are too small, keep ordering them but steam or roast/bake some veggies to go with them.
buy the pre-chopped vegetables at store and throw them in a pot along with chicken or beef, whatever you like and make a large soup that will last you a week. OR freeze 1/2 of it. Split pea soup with a ham hock thrown in is also incredibly easy. It's sticks to your ribs kind of soup.
I"ve also found if I throw a raw (or cooked) egg into my smoothies it will give me protein and stay with me longer than a smoothie without protein. You can also use the protein powders, but try to find one that doesn't have a bunch of fructose or added sugars. And as Triunfadora said, add veggies to your smoothies. I add spinach or chard or kale, but I always cook them first as they are easier for me to digest. Just buy frozen spinach or throw the veggies in a covered dish in a little water and zap in microwave for a few minutes.
Good Luck. The food thing for us is always hard, but it's not impossible. As yo can see, there are lots of options and ideas. Just keep it simple! Good luck and get some good food into you!