Tired all the time, even though you're getting plenty of rest? It may have more to do with what's on your plate than how many plates you're juggling.

Doctors say there is a link between food and fatigue.

"I was sluggish, didn't want to get out of bed, but you have to - you have to go to work." Sandi Cauley felt horrible. After surviving a stroke she continued working long hours at a Portland hospital, but made sure she had plenty of rest and ate what seemed to be a healthy diet. Still, she had no energy. And she was gaining weight. She was frustrated.

So she sought help from a Portland area doctor known for promoting healthy eating to treat illnesses.

During Cauley's first visit to Dr. Miles Hassell, she learned she was consuming a lot of hidden sugars in her favorite foods.

"You think you're eating healthy, but, in reality, you're not!"

Those sugars were draining her energy and causing weight gain.

Dr. Hassell, the Medical Director of Providence Saint Vincent Medical Center's Integrative Medicine Program, helped her cut 500 calories a day immediately.

He simply identified the hidden sugar in her so-called "healthy" snacks. For example, the yogurt she loved contained a whopping seven teaspoons of sugar.

She beams, we cut "500 calories!"

"When we have someone with a fatigue problem the first thing we do is get rid of refined carbohydrates, sugars and white flour."

Dr. Hassell says the next step is to limit or avoid hydrogenated oils. He also says avoid processed fat-free foods, meal-replacement bars, energy drinks and high fat, preserved meats.

Dr. Hassell explains "the only way to do that is by reading the labels of your foods carefully." He advises you get your daily allowance of vitamin-D, vitamin B-12 and iron as deficiencies can leave you feeling sluggish.

In his book, "Good Food, Good Medicine," Dr. Hassell not only lists energy-zapping foods, but also those that energize you.

He identifies such fatigue-fighting fuels as lean meats, nuts, dairy foods and eggs. He also points people toward unprocessed grains and so-called "good fats" found in avocados and extra-virgin olive oil.

Bottom line, he says "get your sleep, get your exercise especially in the morning, avoid refined carbohydrates... and make sure you're getting good protein and good fat at every meal."

A few months after changing her diet, Cauley noticed a dramatic change.

"My whole attitude about life is just different!" No more chronic fatigue and energy to spare. It's tremendous now!" She works out daily and she's lost more than 20 pounds.

She says it was simple, "check out what you're eating!"