Nutrition Questions and Answers
Vital Health Zone is proud to announce Lesa Rusher, who is our resident naturopathic expert and who is available to answer questions about nutrition and health.
Lesa Rusher is a qualified naturopath with a thriving business in Canberra, Australia and has a wealth of experience treating clients on a variety of health issues. Lesa Rusher's full credentials can be found in our experts area.
Lesa Rusher will answer your nutrition-related questions.
Q: My daughter suffers chronic fatigue, sleeps in every weekend and needs a nap every day after school otherwise she cannot function for the rest of the evening.
What foods are best and what diet regime should she follow to increase her energy levels?
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A: People who have chronic fatigue syndrome need to prioritise their daily activities and use a schedule for monitoring their activities and to help them conserve their energy. User realistic goal setting in the schedule to avoid over-exhaustion.
Exercise, while it may be difficult, is very important. You need to discuss with your doctor (or paediatrician) the best types and duration of exercise for your daughter. The exercise regime will need to be started slowly (if your daughter is not engaging in much physical activity at present) and building up to a certain level (as advised by your doctor).
Exercise is excellent as it increases energy, improves their mood, improves endurance, strength and stamina and helps to improve the appetite.
In terms of food, small, but frequent meals are the best answer for someone who experiences chronic fatigue, as this is a great way to give the body cells a constant supply of energy and constant blood sugar levels. Five to six small meals a day are recommended, around every 3-4 hours.
Ensure your daughter is not eating too much sugar, processed foods or junk foods of any kind - these will give an energy spike followed by a big energy slump, which in her condition becomes even worse. Always ensure your daughter is eating enough fresh, natural foods from all the different food groups, to ensure she is getting enough energy, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants from her diet, to help her with her condition.
Try to feed your daughter organic foods as they retain more of their vitamins and nutrients than non-organic foods, so are better in the long term (as they provide more of the essential nutrients than foods that have not been grown organically).
Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.
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