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Eating with Adrenal Fatigue by Dr. James Wilson

Posted by Tavi Meketon on Fri, Jun 26, 2009
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If you are experiencing adrenal fatigue, you will probably notice that you do best if you combine some protein (meat, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, seed, legumes, etc.), complex carbohydrates (whole grains, root vegetables, etc.) and a small amount of healthy fat (preferably fresh vegetable oils) at every meal and snack. Eating this way helps sustain steady energy throughout the day because your body converts protein, complex carbohydrates and fats into energy at different rates - prolonging the flow of energy fuel. It is important to remember that foods that are converted too quickly into energy (like sugary snacks or highly processed foods) will quickly let you down after the initial rush.

One of the major dietary mistakes made by people with low adrenal output is not eating soon enough after waking. If you are experiencing adrenal fatigue, it is very important to eat (protein + complex carbohydrates + healthy fat) before 10:00 am - even if you do not feel very hungry. This is vital to replenishing your waning stored blood sugar supply after the nighttime's energy needs.

An early lunch, preferably before noon, is better than a late lunch because your body quickly uses up the morning nourishment and is ready for more. Between 11 and 11:30 am is usually the best time for lunch. It also helps to eat a nutritious snack between 2 and 3 pm to sustain you through the cortisol dip that typically occurs between 3 and 4 pm.

Eating dinner between 5 and 6 pm supports adrenal function and blood sugar levels through the evening. A few bites of a high quality snack (protein + complex carbohydrates + healthy fat) before bed can help sustain blood sugar levels at night for sound sleep.

http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/diet-for-adrenal-fatigue.html

 

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Comments

I have searched for adrenal fatigue, and this site has been the most informative. I don't have the energy to go from one room to the other. I am taking medicine now, and after two days. I feel somewhat better.
Posted @ Friday, August 14, 2009 2:46 PM by Carole
Exactly true directions. If only I had known this 20 years ago i might not have gone so far downhill...
Posted @ Sunday, August 16, 2009 10:44 PM by thinx_2_much
I thought I was just depressed and lazy because I had been on disability since 2004. I was city clerk one day, and due to back and neck problems, trying to get disability the next. C4,c5,c6,c7 on my neck is fused, and l5.l5.and si on my back. I just know I barely had the energy to feed my husband when he came home, and keep the house "simi" going. LISTEN to your body, if you are tired, tell your doctor! After only 5 days of being on medicine, I feel 25% better. Addidson's disease can take a tole if left untreated. Carole
Posted @ Monday, August 17, 2009 11:05 AM by Carole
After reading the Adrenal Fatigue book, I'm finding it hard to know what to eat for breakfast. I don't really want eggs EVERY day. Any suggestions?
Posted @ Tuesday, August 18, 2009 11:43 AM by Phyllis
Regarding what to eat for breakfast, note that Dr. Wilson advises to eat protein + complex carbs + healthy fat. It is our Western thinking that makes us think that the "only" protein that is okay to have for breakfast is eggs. This is not true or advisable (eating the same thing every day is a quick road to food allergies/hypersensitivities). 
 
You'll want to start experimenting with other sources of protein for breakfast. This includes any/all of the other forms of animal protein. Many people find a protein powder smoothie (I suggest using egg protein and/or hemp protein, you could alternate them) is a quick, easy, and filling way to get their morning protein. 
 
Just remember, open yourself to more variety at breakfast and get your protein + complex carbs + healthy fats. Those are the only "rules". Find good ways of fulfilling them, don't limit your food choices too much based on what you are "used to".
Posted @ Wednesday, August 19, 2009 2:51 PM by Dr. Garrett Smith
On page 20 of Dr. Wilson's book, he indicates it is possible for people to be born with lower adrenal function especially if their mother was suffering from adrenal fatigue during pregnancy. 
 
Posted @ Friday, August 21, 2009 1:33 PM by Tavi Meketon
How does Dr. Wilson feel about juicing, particularly vegetable juicing?
Posted @ Sunday, August 23, 2009 2:53 PM by Cheryl Gifford
I find that drinking water first thing in the morning helps out too. At least 1 glass but sometimes 2.  
 
Its amazing how much fluid we lose during the night due to normal respiratory functions, getting up to go to the bathroom, etc. And yet we typically don't replace this lost water in the morning.  
 
Getting hydrated is a great way to start the day off on the right foot... adrenally speaking
Posted @ Thursday, September 24, 2009 11:36 PM by adrenally fatigued
I find that drinking water first thing in the morning helps out too. At least 1 glass but sometimes 2.  
 
Its amazing how much fluid we lose during the night due to normal respiratory functions, getting up to go to the bathroom, etc. And yet we typically don't replace this lost water in the morning.  
 
Getting hydrated is a great way to start the day off on the right foot... adrenally speaking
Posted @ Thursday, September 24, 2009 11:38 PM by adrenally fatigued
Hi there, I thought I was well on the road to recovery till I hit a couple of bumps, one was the exhaustion I felt a day after moderate weight training and the other, I feel is the main culprit, which is waking up at 3 AM in the night and tossing around in bed after that ! This leaves me completely drained in the mornings. I started eating some soaked walnuts and some kefir just before bed but the 'awakenings' haven't stopped. Has anyone experienced this ?
Posted @ Friday, September 25, 2009 9:20 PM by adrenal challeneges
Hi, I am suffering with adrenal failure and do not want to go on cortisol, I am using Dr Wilsons Adrenal Rebuilder and sticking to a completely healthy diet, eg no dairy, no wheat, no processed, no tea or coffee. I have tried a small snack at night time as well of hoummous and oat cakes but every night I wake at 3am and do not go back to sleep. I take a sleeping pill and a natural progesterone tablet every night which help me go to sleep, but no matter how exhausted I am, and believe me I am, I wake at 3am. 
You are not alone. 
Regards 
Janice
Posted @ Saturday, October 17, 2009 7:06 AM by Janice George
I am having a problem with uti's and bladder infections with my low immune system. This one has been four weeks now and the antibiotics do not seem to be working at this point. Has anyone else delat with this with their adrenal fatigue?
Posted @ Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:48 AM by Christine
I usually fall asleep easily, sleep really well for 3-4 hours, then wake with a full bladder. I can feel quite drowsy but by the time I'm back in bed (without putting the light on) I'm wide awake with my brain absolutely buzzing. I'll then be awake for 3 hrs. In that time I'll often get up for a while and always have something to eat. If I'm lucky, I'll get back to sleep around 5-6am for another couple of hrs. Does this sound as if I have high cortisol levels at night? I know they're low during the day. 
 
Does anyone else have this experience? 
 
I take all manner of different herbal supplements to try to help. Antihistamine helps, but I don't like to take that too often. I did wonder if my histamine levels are too high, as I believe that can cause problems too. 
 
 
 
Vivien
Posted @ Saturday, October 31, 2009 12:30 PM by vivien
I seem to sleep for 5 1/2 hrs every nite , no matter when I go to bed. Bingo ,awake! 2 a.m., or 4;30a.m. .Only after 5 1/2 Hrs.  
 
everytime for months mabe years! 
 
(father of 7 children!)  
 
melatonin,? circadian, Taking foods,supplements,aminos for adrenals, and "adult A.D.D" 
 
also, mostly B vits,c, gaba ,aminos, etc.
Posted @ Tuesday, December 15, 2009 7:22 PM by michael simonelli
I tried sleepy time extra (valerian tea) and that does knock me out pretty good. When I wake up at 3 am and go to pee, then I am still drowsy and can fall back to sleep. So valerian root is perhaps the safest approach if you want to avoid antibiotics.
Posted @ Tuesday, December 15, 2009 8:43 PM by adrenal challeneges
Christine... 
 
I hae been fighting UTI's for 8 months and have seen 2 urologist and a womens health specialist....no real help. I am seeing a MD Naturopath, that said the stress on my endocrine sx, is stressing my immune sx. All the hormones effect each other. I use a cream like estrase.... and am going to Mayo clinic in a few weeks. Hope that helps...just knowing your not alone, helps me.
Posted @ Sunday, December 27, 2009 7:41 PM by Rebecca
Having an allergy to eggs and dairy and gluten intolerant, I've had to reassess my way at looking at food. Grains, greens and proteins is my mantra. I've learned to like vegetables for breakfast--yams, cucumber and tomato with some balsamic vinegar and olive oil and avocado which is the perfect carb. Quinoa is a great protein source (among other nutrients) and is tasty and versatile for all meals. I make it like oatmeal with rice milk at breakfast or as a stir fry as I would use rice. It's really quick to make too. Millet and other grains are also good sources. Oil and vinegar is the only dressing I use in restaurants too because there is gluten and/or egg in every retail sauce they use. If there is sauce on something, it's likely I can't eat it which keeps me eating clean. 
 
There are many other ideas but you get the picture. I travel more than 50% of the year so I've learned many tricks through trial and error. 
 
If you're having trouble staying asleep at night, get your hormones checked as you may benefit from some hormonal support (biodenticals). It's a 24 hour urine test or a saliva test for follow up later on. 
 
I found it interesting that salts are good for adrenal fatigue as my naturopath has had me taking a salt supplement for a couple years and one of the obvious benefits is no more UTI's. 
 
I'm working on healing my entire system from adrenal burnout, hormonal depletion AND the gluten issue and can't say enough about how beneficial Dr. Wilson's Adrenal rebuilder has been for my fatigue. Having better energy levels gives me the ability to do all the work it takes to get back on track...however long it takes and however frustrated I get!
Posted @ Monday, January 04, 2010 8:47 PM by Yvonne
I used to suffer from chronic UTIs as well and found that an increase in garlic, using a good probiotic, eliminating all sugars(no fruits/juices for awhile) and discontinuing all forms of antibacterial soaps did the trick. Antibacterial soaps can absorb through the skin and throw off the body's natural flora making it more susceptible to infections like this.
Posted @ Sunday, January 24, 2010 8:49 AM by Laurie
TO ALL FOLKS HAVING RE-OCCURENT BLADDER INFECTIONS!!!! 
 
THE THING THAT finally fixed me for several years now......was.......drum roll ! 
 
DEFINATELY D-Mannose.... 
 
every day...one scoop for maintenance, and several times a day when symptoms occasionally re-occur.
Posted @ Monday, February 22, 2010 8:25 PM by carolyn
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