In 2014, following a traumatic accident in which I fractured my sacrum after a significant fall from a height, I developed extreme fatigue. There were days when I slept – unable to wake or rouse myself – for 24 hrs or so; when sitting up in a chair or raising my arm was too exhausting. After 5 months of struggling, I found myself one morning scarcely able to move at all. This continued for about a week. Many years later- as is typical – I got a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia (though I suspect ME as well). But in late 2014, I overhauled my diet – from plant-based to whole-food plant-based (cutting out all sugar, juices, oil, coffee, refined carbohydrates). After a short time, I recovered some energy – enough to at least be out of bed. After several months of gradually building up capacity to exercise as well, I was able to go to start working part time; then to re-start my full-time PhD; to go on long bike rides – basically to live as normal.

Though, years later, I am still affected by fatigue and (mild/moderate) pain, and I have to moderate my activity to avoid flare-ups, I have managed to have a pretty full and active life (completing PhD, managing full-time job working from home). Nowadays, I am more like 90% whole-food based (but 100% vegan) -as I like a bit of chocolate and crisps now and again! Nonetheless, since eating whole-food as the default on a daily basis, I haven’t experienced anything close to the depth of fatigue I had back in 2014.

I also used to suffer from severe depression, but since becoming vegan, any low mood I experience has been much less severe, and much, much shorter lived.

I find it useful to read books about WFPB nutrition, or watch Nutrition Facts videos, attend UK Plant-Based Health Professionals webinars, listen to Nutrition Rounds podcasts etc – as this really reignites my enthusiasm and determination.