Being a type-A overachiever has always been my default state– I’m the oldest child and a first-generation college student. I have a tendency to run only at 100 percent or more. Drinking coffee? Eleven shots of espresso a day** Starting a business? I started not one, but two! You probably get the idea. It’s no surprise that I trashed my adrenal glands with this kind of lifestyle.
I worked with an amazing naturopath to identify my adrenal dysfunction. My girlfriend also has adrenal fatigue, so we have learned to work together and support one another in maintaining a diet that has helped heal our adrenals. Curious about what that looks like? I’m glad you asked.
This meal plan is a small snippet of what I eat on a daily basis. I do enjoy variety, but I tend to vary more from week-to-week as opposed to day-to-day. In general, my food choices revolve around a few simple principles: a colorful variety of vegetables and fruit, healthy fats, minimal sugar (only raw honey or maple syrup), steady–not massive!–amounts of carbs, high quality sea salt, and always making sure I have a hearty breakfast. I’m gluten-free and mostly paleo.
Also, I still have a full schedule…so this meal plan is based on fast and easy prep and cooking principles. My current schedule isn’t like my old insane schedule that got me into this adrenal fatigue mess, partly because I am far more time efficient now that my body is healing. This meal plan is created from a few basic ingredients and extremely simple recipes to minimize the time involved in putting it together.
Note: any listing of greens means that I grabbed a handful of whatever interested me from the fridge. I regularly keep spinach, baby arugula, broccoli sprouts, and a sprout mixture (which includes mizuna, sunflower, and radish sprouts) on hand.
Day 1
Breakfast: Grilled chicken thighs, greens, half of an avocado.
Lunch: Grilled chicken thighs, greens, sliced beets (I buy organic, pre-cooked with no other ingredients), half an avocado.
Dinner: Baked salmon, sliced cucumbers, half an avocado.
Day 2
Breakfast: Easy Flourless Breakfast Cookies
Lunch: Smoked salmon, half an avocado, plantain chips
Dinner: Meatza – This is basically pizza, but with ground meat for the crust. I also made the sauce from beets and carrots, which added some carbs.
Day 3
Breakfast: Impromptu Pumpkin Porridge
Lunch: Chicken, spinach, mushroom bowl
Dinner: Grass-fed Beef Liver Pate, sliced beets, half an avocado, greens
**I later learned that I have one of the MTHFR genetic mutations, which, in very basic terms, makes me a “bad methylater.” Coffee contains compounds that assist in methylation. Since adjusting my diet further and adding some supplements recommended by my doctor, cutting out coffee has been much easier.
Note: PLEASE consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or medications. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only, and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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