Adrenal Fatigue Nutrition: Feed Your Adrenals These 3 Nutrients

I know you know the importance of a healthy diet, especially if you are trying to recover from adrenal fatigue. I also know that there is SO much information out there, often conflicting.. making figuring out what to eat way more complicated than it needs to be. We want to make adrenal fatigue nutrition straight forward for you. The truth is that when you have adrenal fatigue, nutrition requirements actually increase. This is because when your body is under stress, you use up nutrients more quickly.

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To put it all in a nutshell and to keep things as simple as possible for you, I want you to know that the type of diet that works for one person, may not work for another. It really depends on the person. This makes establishing the perfect adrenal recovery diet complex because it is so specific to the individual.

On a less complex note, there are common nutrients that are important to everyone suffering from adrenal fatigue, and these nutrients are available in all sorts of different whole foods. Figuring out the ones that work best for you is something you can determine by trying them out and acknowledging how they make you feel after. If you react or experience indigestion or other signs of intolerance, make a mental note and try to find similar nutrients from other foods instead.

So what are these adrenal loving nutrients and where can I get them?

3 Vital Nutrients for Adrenal Fatigue Nutrition

1. Magnesium

Magnesium a mineral that acts like a spark plug for your adrenals and for creating energy in every cell of your body. It is used up readily by the adrenals and our cells during times of stress. Magnesium deficiency is very common.

• Food Sources: brown rice, beans, nuts, seeds, sea veggies, leafy greens, almonds, avocados and dark chocolate

2. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin to the entire adrenal hormone cascade and for the manufacture production of adrenal steroid hormones. It also acts as antioxidant within the adrenals as well.

• Food Sources: peppers, leafy greens, broccoli, brussel sprouts, berries, fruits

3.  Pantothenic Acid & the B Complex

All B vitamins are important to the nervous system and to the adrenals, but particularly Pantothenic Acid (vitamin B5). B5 is an essential contributing nutrient to the adrenal cascade, it is a very important nutrient for energy production- quickly depleted during times of stress (especially prolonged stress).

• Food Sources: shiitake & crimini mushrooms, sweet potato, cauliflower & broccoli

There you go, we just gave you the 3 vital nutrients to adrenal fatigue nutrition. It's important to incorporate these nutrients into your diet as soon as possible.

To learn more about how to kickstart your adrenals, download our comprehensive starter kit guide NOW - CLICK THE BOX BELOW! 

Essential Foods for Adrenal Fatigue Recovery: Top 5 Superfoods

Food is the best medicine. But, when it comes to adrenal fatigue recovery there is so much advice out there about food, right? It’s confusing and often conflicting.  We want to share the top 5 adrenal superfoods, essential foods for adrenal fatigue recovery. We are firm believers that adrenal fatigue recovery is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. However, because adrenal fatigue is a condition of depletion, nourishing the body with the proper foods is a foundation component of adrenal healing.

We are about to share with you 5 adrenal fatigue superfoods. These superfoods are the foundation of our healing system we have used to heal 100's of our clients because they are key to balancing your hormones and nourishing your body.

1. Eat Healthy Fats

Thank goodness the non-fat craze of the 90s is over, but there are still many that cringe at the thought of eating fats. What you need to remember is that fats from whole foods, meat and dairy are very different than those of highly processed foods and our bodies and brain need various types of fats for optimal functioning.

Many people suffering from adrenal fatigue have cut calories to try to lose weight. An adrenal fatigue diet should not be a particularly low calorie diet. In fact, this can worsen adrenal fatigue and therefore results in a slower metabolism and weight gain. Eating healthy fats IS calorie dense, but they are a critical part of stabilizing blood sugars, nourishing the nervous system, and balancing all of the hormones that are interconnected with adrenal function.

Examples of healthy fats: are butter, coconut oil, lard, olive oil (not for cooking), ghee, palm oil; nuts, seeds, avocados and fatty fishes –like wild salmon and sardines. Don’t worry about writing these down because in just a minute we are going to give you a list of all of these.

2. Eat Fermented Foods

Fermented foods help to promote healthy gut function. Healthy gut function ensures adequate nutrient absorption, and promotes a strong immune system, and mood and hormone health. Examples of fermented foods are saurkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh, kefir, kombucha, yogurt – Try to have a variety in order to get a variety of probiotics. At least 1 serving per day.

3. Eat Resistant Starches

Most people assume that when blood sugar balance is important, low/no carbohydrate diet is the key. But for some people, cutting out high carbohydrate foods can actually make adrenal fatigue WORSE. Resistant starches actually serve to lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, which is critical for balanced energy, moods, and maintaining a healthy weight. They also act as prebiotics, which help to feed the good bacteria in your gut.

Examples of Resistant Starches: cooked and cooled rice, legumes, and potatoes; plantains, green bananas and yucca root. Frequency and quantity will vary depending on your unique blood sugar balance and macronutrient needs (ratios of carbs, proteins and fats).

4. Eat High Protein Foods

Well-sourced meats, fish, eggs, organ meats (yes, liver), gelatin, raw dairy, nuts, seeds, tempeh, and beans. Having protein with each meal is an important part of creating blood sugar stability. This is especially important with breakfast – it really is the more important meal of the day.

5. Eat Bone Broth

We recommend a ½ cup to 1 cup a day. Get or make good quality chicken, fish, pork, or beef broth. Drink it straight, add it to soups, use it to sauté veggies or cook grains. The glycosaminoglycans and minerals in bone broth help create healthier gut function and nutrient absorption. For more on gut health and nutrient absorption check out this...

There you go, the top 5 superfoods, the essential foods for adrenal fatigue recovery. So what’s next? We want to help you make the next step super easy so we’ve prepare a special gift for you, our Adrenal Healing Food Guide. This guide will give you 5 more essential foods for adrenal fatigue recovery with a list of foods for each category. It also includes the top 5 adrenal fatigue foods to avoid.

To get your hands on the “Adrenal healing Food Guide”, simply enter your name and email and we will send it right to you.

Now we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Which of these superfoods are you going to start adding to your diet? What are your favorite foods for adrenal fatigue recovery? We are a healing community and your share will support others on their healing journey. So take a moment to drop us a line below.

Xoxo,
Dr. Holly German

Adrenal Fatigue Treatment - 5 Foods To Avoid

When it comes to adrenal fatigue treatment there is a lot of advice out there. It’s confusing right? We want to help clear up some of that confusion. We know through personal experience and from the success of our patients that these are the most common foods that will compromise your healing and feed your adrenal fatigue every time.

Let’s jump right in…

1. Simple Carbohydrate Foods

Does it taste intensely sweet? Does it come in a box and have mostly grains as the ingredients? Think cereals, pastas, chips, crackers, cookies, juices, and sodas. A body suffering from adrenal fatigue will send signals that these are good, but they are not.

They provide a quick energy spike and then a crash – this blood sugar rollercoaster will undermine adrenal healing every single time. Try small amounts of natural sweeteners like honey, coconut sugar, and stevia leaf powder to help sugar cravings without the blood sugar crash.                    

2. Alcohol

This is the same as simple carbs. Alcohol is quick to break down to sugar and it’s a depressant. It will undermine quality sleep and metabolism - essential parts of adrenal healing. Consider the reasons you may be drawn to alcohol – are you wired in the evenings and using it to switch into relax mode?

A lot of people are on the coffee/wine cycle of ramping up and winding down. These substances, although fine in moderation for healthy people, can perpetuate the hormonal and nervous system patterns seen in adrenal fatigue.

3. Stimulants

Yep, that means coffee. And this is the point at which many patients want to leave the room or hang up the phone. Believe me I know, I was there, not that long ago. No coffee!?, No wine after dinner?!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but caffeine creates fake energy from empty reserves. It’s depleting. If caffeine energy is critical for you, try half-caf, decaf, or better yet, use small amounts of green tea, yerba mate, or maca to energize.

Before we move on to #4  keep in mind, that this is part of a adrenal fatigue treatment diet. It’s a relatively short-term protocol to help you recover from your adrenal fatigue. It is not a long-term or maintenance diet. Embracing this understanding will bolster will-power when you need it the most. There will come a time when the foods on this list will be okay in moderation but for now, you are better off without them.

4. Food Allergies/Intolerances/Sensitivities

These foods will vary from person to person. If you suspect you don’t do well with a certain food or food group, cut it out for several weeks and then re-introduce it. If your symptoms worsen in the few days after re-introduction, it’s not a good food for you right now.

You may also want to consider food intolerance (IgG) testing to get some guidance and foods that don’t work for your body right now. The most common food in-tolerances are eggs, corn, soy, dairy, and gluten. Continuing to consume foods that are pro-inflammatory will damage gut health – which is highly detrimental to adrenal healing.

5. Unhealthy Fats

Fried foods, canola, vegetable, soy oils, rancid oils like most flax oil or overly heated olive oil are examples of unhealthy fats. These oils make your cell membranes stiff and resistant to nutrient uptake – your body needs extra nutrients right now.

There you go, the Top 5 foods to avoid for adrenal fatigue treatment.

So what’s next? Now that you know what foods to avoid, we want to tell you what foods to eat on an adrenal fatigue diet. Check out this blog…

And as a bonus, we want to give you our Adrenal Healing Food Guide called “eat to treat adrenal fatigue” for free which includes the top 10 adrenal superfoods.

To get your hands on the Adrenal healing Food Guide, simply enter your name and email below and we will send it right to you.

Now we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Which of these food group have been the hardest to eliminate? How can we support you? We are a healing community and your share will support others on their healing journey. So take a moment to drop us a line below.

Love, 

Dr. Holly German

What to Eat on an Adrenal Fatigue Diet

If you've been suffering from adrenal fatigue for some time chances are you have some anxiety when it comes to eating. It's confusing, right? People say go gluten free, vegan, stop eating sugar, go Paleo. There is so much advice out there and often it's conflicting. I am going to take the overwhelm out of the equation and explain what foods to eat and what foods to avoid on an adrenal fatigue diet. And I also am going to tell you how to avoid a very common mistake that many adrenal fatigue sufferers make that further exhausts the adrenals, making it impossible to heal.

There is a reason why there is so much conflicting advice out there. It's because healing from this condition is not a one-size-fits all kind of thing. What works for some, does not work for all.

We recommend you get professional support to follow a diet that is customized to your body and your lifestyle. I'm going to give you a big DIY tip on how to do this and a special gift, just for you so you can apply it to your life right away, so stay tuned.

Foods that Nourish The Adrenals

1. Foods High in Protein and Fats

Fats and proteins break down slowly, so they provide fuel for hours after they are eaten. Carbohydrates break down quickly, so they can contribute to a blood sugar spike and crash, especially simple carbohydrates like breads, pastas, and sweets. And since blood sugar balance is a big part of adrenal fatigue, proteins and fats are helpful to keep blood sugar levels stable which results in more balanced cortisol and epinephrine levels.

2. Eat Nutrient-Dense, Whole Foods

Not getting enough nutrients is a common issue for adrenal fatigue sufferers. Often times this is due to poor nutrient absorption. Poor nutrient absorption could the result of years of or chronic poor digestion and/or other obstacles like leaky gut, parasites, candida overgrowth, etc.

The more nutrient dense foods you eat the better chance your body has at absorbing all the nutrients you need for healing. Great examples of nutrient-dense foods are fresh, plant foods.

3. Eat Fresh, Local Foods  (Preferably Organic & Non-GMO Foods)

Choosing high-quality meats, poultry, dairy (grass-fed, pastured-raised), fruits and vegetables helps you avoid preservatives, added hormones, artificial colors, dyes, and chemicals. These foreign and unnatural substances are harder to process and therefore puts more stress on the body. Eat organic and ideally locally grown (very fresh) foods for maximum nutrient density.

4. Incorporate Good Salt Into Your Diet

If you don't have high blood pressure (which is less likely with adrenal fatigue) it's okay to give into your cravings for salty foods. Make sure you're choosing the right kind of salt. (Learn more about good salt and how to incorporate it into your diet HERE). Your salt cravings are most likely related to low levels of a steroid hormone called aldosterone. This hormone is produced by the adrenal glands and has a central role in regulating blood pressure. When cortisol goes up, aldosterone goes down.

5.  Choose Low-Glycemic Fruits

Blood sugar balance is an issue for many adrenal fatigue sufferers, so go light on fruits especially in the morning. When you do eat fruits think berries, green apples, kiwi, cantaloupe and stone fruits like peaches and plums. Avoid bananas, grapes, dried fruit and oranges. 6. Eat Whole Grains If you eat grains, allow whole grains to be the main source of your carbohydrates. This doesn't just mean whole wheat pasta noodles or whole wheat bread. Eat the whole grain. For example, rolled oats or steel cut oats, quinoa, millet and brown or wild rice.

Foods That Exhaust The Adrenals

1.  Processed Foods

Avoid processed foods as best you can, typically these are foods that come in a box, bag or package. Why because they contain less nutrients than whole foods as typically have lots of preservatives and additives that can stress the body and the adrenal glands.

2.  Stimulants

Avoid stimulants like coffee which create artificial energy followed by a "crash". Keep sugar and alcohol to a minimum. These substances tax the adrenals. Learn how to incorporate coffee alternatives.

3. Foods Your Body is Sensitive/Allergic or Intolerant To

It is important that you eliminate these foods as soon as possible. When you eat these foods it triggers an allergic reaction because your immune system recognizes the food as a foreign substance or allergen. This creates an inflammatory response. The adrenals play an important role in allergic reactions. The adrenals produce the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is in charge of reducing inflammation. When the adrenals are fatigued, it is more difficult to produce the additional amounts of cortisol necessary to counteract the inflammatory response. This becomes a vicious cycle because the more histamines are released because your tired adrenals can't keep up the harder it is for them to produce more cortisol. That is why many people with adrenal fatigue have more allergies or their allergies seem to get worse. These inflammatory molecules can also cause fatigue, headaches, joint and muscle pain, mood swings, sleep problems and cognitive difficulties. Not sure what foods you're sensitive to? Do a little trial and error. This will help you identify food sensitivities or allergies. (This is the tip I promised to share with you about how you can eat an adrenal fatigue diet that is more customized to you)

Keep a log for 1 week of what you eat and how you feel. (Keep reading because I give you a tracking tool below to make this super EASY.)

Look for things like:

• How long does my energy last after eating a meal?

• Do I have digestive distress?

• Do I feel hungry even after I’ve just eaten?

Your body is a great messenger system, we just need to make sure we are listening. This is a great start. And no pun intended here, but Trust Your Gut. You know your body better than anyone. If you suspect you have a sensitivity to something, explore it. Wondering, how and where to start eliminating? Start with one food group at a time so you can be sure it's really an issue. If you suspect you're allergic to multiple food groups start with the one you believe you are most sensitive to. Start eliminating that food from your diet as soon as you can. Get support from an expert to find great alternatives, so it doesn't have to feel so overwhelming. Stay with this plan of elimination for 4-6 weeks. Note any changes in your digestion, mood, energy level, skin, etc. And please remember this is only temporary. Most of my patients can go back to eating these foods with no issues after they have healed their adrenal fatigue. So now you know what to eat and what NOT to eat on an adrenal fatigue diet. Just one more thing...

Just as important as WHAT you eat is, WHEN you eat

When you're busy, stressed out and lacking energy it's easy to skip or delay meals. This is not a good idea with adrenal fatigue.

Skipping or delaying meals does the following:

1. Slows down your metabolism, giving your body the message that it needs to conserve energy by storing calories as fat

2. Causes your blood sugar to drop. This puts stress on your adrenal glands because they have to release more cortisol and adrenaline to maintain the body's normal functioning. The adrenals are also in charge of maintaining your blood sugar levels.

3. And finally, when you fast for several hours, it does NOT allow your body to produce glucose which is the primary source of energy for your brain and your nervous system. When you eat, the body breaks down your food and produces glucose. So when you don’t eat, the glucose in your brain decreases, which means less energy. This lack of glucose impairs your concentration, focus, mood and memory.

Now we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. What is your biggest struggle with an adrenal fatigue diet? Or share your best advice. This is a healing community and Your comment could support others on their healing journey. So take a moment to drop us a line below.

Love, 

Dr. Holly German & Angela

Treat Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms Naturally - 5 Kitchen Remedies

What if I told you, you don’t have to buy expensive supplements or go on crazy elimination diets in order to heal your gut, detox your body or improve your digestion. Would you want to know more? It took me years and thousands of dollars before I realized that some of the most powerful and inexpensive remedies to treat adrenal fatigue symptoms were right under my nose. I am going to share with you 5 kitchen remedies to treat adrenal fatigue symptoms and my favorite ways to easily incorporate these into your diet.

#1 Turmeric

This vibrant colored and highly aromatic spice used often in Asian cooking belongs to the ginger family.

The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin which gives turmeric many of its healing and cleansing properties.

To start, turmeric is a potent antioxidant packed with vitamins A, C, and E.

Vitamin C is key for adrenal fatigue sufferers because the more cortisol you make the more vitamin C is used. During the stress response the body burns up many times the daily requirement of vitamin C. So as stressful events increase, the need for vitamin C also increases.

Another reason turmeric is a great remedy for adrenal fatigue is because of its anti-inflammatory effects.

As you probably already noticed, inflammation is common with adrenal fatigue and autoimmune diseases. Inflammation is the result of an overactive immune system. Particularly with chronic autoimmune disease, the amount of inflammation present is determined by the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, so when the adrenals are weak your body is more prone to inflammation.

The anti-inflammatory potency of turmeric has been compared favorably to anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs…minus all the side effects.

Ways to Consume Turmeric:

1. Add small amounts (a teaspoon) to your daily smoothies

2. Make a yummy dish, once or twice a week that uses turmeric. My favorite is a red lentil curry dish like this one

#2 Clove

Clove has been used for thousands of   years in India and China as not only a spice and condiment, but as medicine.

Like Turmeric, clove is a powerful antioxidant. It is also anti-fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and a natural pain-reliever.

Inflammation and digestion are common issues for most adrenal fatigue sufferers and clove comes to the rescue as it’s capable of addressing both.

For example, clove relaxes the smooth lining of the GI tract and stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes. As a result, clove helps alleviate vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal gas, irritability and stomachaches.

Clove is also a good source of manganese, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.

Ways to Consume Clove:

I prefer to consume clove by incorporating it into my food and drink. It’s not something I want in my smoothies, but that’s just me. Here are a couple great recipes to try. If you like chai tea you can make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy a cup each morning.

1. Chili Recipe

2. Homemade Chai Tea

#3 Garlic

Garlic is a plant in the same family as the onion. The compound allicin is responsible for garlic’s many health benefits.

Garlic is a potent natural antibiotic and boosts the function of the immune system. Garlic is high in vitamins and minerals, many of which are on the recommended list of vitamins important for those suffering from adrenal fatigue. To name a few: manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Selenium and fiber. Garlic also has decent amounts of copper, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron and vitamin B1.

High doses of the allicin compounds have been shown to protect against organ damage from heavy metal toxicity.

For example, a 4-week study of employees of a car battery plant who had excessive exposure to lead, found that garlic reduced lead levels in the blood by 19%.

Toxicity is an issue for adrenal fatigue sufferers because the body has a hard time cleansing and detoxing when digestion is slow, the lymphatic system is sluggish, inflammation is high and blood flow is compromised.

Ways to Consume Garlic:

1. Chopped up fine and sprinkled on toast with butter or olive oil

2. Chopped up fine in fresh, homemade guacamole or salsa

3. Add chopped up garlic to almost any savory food recipe, soup, pasta sauce, curry, chili, roasted vegetables or stew

4. If I’m suffering from a severe cold, I’m not afraid to throw a whole clove in my mouth, chew it up and swallow

#4 Ginger

Traditional Chinese medicine has relied on ginger for more than 2,000 years. Ginger is a pungent spice known historically for increasing blood flow and for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is especially known for its effectiveness in eliminating intestinal gas and for treating chronic ingestion, common issues for adrenal fatigue sufferers.

Ginger also has the ability to reduce muscle pain and soreness and menstrual cramps.

It is also known to help fight the flu and common cold. Adrenal fatigue sufferers typically have a compromised immune system. Having a cheap and easy remedy like ginger for these seasonal bugs, is key.

Ways to Consume Ginger:

1. Chai Tea (already mentioned)

2. Make a Wintery Tonic by adding a chunk of ginger to boiling water, add honey and fresh lemon

3. Red Lentil Curry (already mentioned)

4. Try other recipes with fresh ginger like yummy soups or stir-frys

#5 Thyme

For many of us who suffer from adrenal fatigue, getting the proper amount of vitamins and minerals for healing and optimal health can be challenging. Luckily, thyme is packed with Vitamin C and Vitamin A.

If you feel a cold coming on and your immune system needs a boost, thyme is a perfect supplement.

Thyme is also a good source of copper, fiber, iron and manganese.

Way to Consume Thyme:

1. Homemade Pasta Sauce

2. Make your own Thyme Tea recipe here

I just shared with you the top 5 adrenal fatigue remedies already in your kitchen and my favorite ways to incorporate them into your diet.

 Now, I would love to hear from you. Share a comment below. Have you tried these magical herbs or spices as healing remedies? If so, what was your experience? And what are your favorite ways to incorporate these herbs and spices into your diet? Your comments could help someone else on their healing journey.

All my best,
Angela

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