Stress and Nutrition

Stress can often lead to unhealthy lifestyle, which turns around and creates yet more stress. When we are in a hurry or under stress we often make poor food choices, which ini return can create stress in the long run. When people feel overwhelmed they often do too much of the following. Although it may relieve stress at the moment, it is setting them up for life-long problems.

1. Too Much Coffee---People often use coffee to wake them up in the morning and get their day started, but statistics show that people under great deals of stress continue to drink coffee throughout their entire day. Too much caffeine affects concentration and sleeping patterns.

2. Eating Wrong Foods----People under stress tend to crave foods high in fat, sugar and salt because of the increased levels of cortisol.

3. Skipping Meals---Overstressed people often skip meals because they're in a rush or preoccupied.

4. Forgetting Water---A large percentage of American's drink no water at all! They turn to soda or coffee instead, which does not benefit you nearly as much as water.

5. Fast Food---We are the nation of fast food! People often put themselves in the situation where they have too much to do in not enough time. They rely on take out and fast food to feed their family. Fast food can often get expensive and extremely unhealthy if eaten in excess.

6. Crash Diets---After gaining weight from stress, some people intentionally eat less food than they need to shed the weight quick. Diets that are not balanced with fruits, vegetables, protein, and healthy carbohydrates can be bad for your health in the long run. It can cause Blood Sugar Inbalances (lead to mood swings, fatigue, and poor concentration)

7. Poor Health Outcomes--- Poor nutrition choices can lead to a lowered immunity so you are more likely to get sick. How can you make better food choices??
**Eat Breakfast
**Drink Plenty of Water
**Carry snacks (high in protein)
**Pack a lunch
** No Caffeine after 2p.m.
**Keep Healthy snacks/and food in your home to avoid binging!

Stress and Appetite

Stress and Appetite: Hand in Hand

Some people while under a great deal of stress, whether it be from work or family matters, will run to the kitchen and devour anything high in fat and sugar content. On the other hand, some people have a suppressed appetite and eat minimal amounts while under stress causing them to lose body weight. How does our body react in the aspect of food and stress?


When your body is under mild to moderate stress, an appetite stimulant called dynorphine is release. When you eat to eliminate the stress, dopamine is released, which is known for increasing your comfort level. Food becomes a comfort when we are stressed because it releases dopamine, which our body may not be doing on its own. I guess stress affects pretty much every part of our lifestyle!

What Can You Do To Avoid This Splurging??

• Avoid sugars, starches, and fats and cravings will back off
• If You Sense your binging due to stress is getting unhealthy, contact someone for help!
• Get Some helpful hints from the book, Anatomy of Food Addiction:The Brain Chemistry of Overeating, bye Anne Katherine.

Are You Really Eating Your Feelings?

Many people are under an enormous amount of stress today, whether it be work or family issues, and find their relief through food. Why do people seem to constantly eat their emotions?

When your body is under mild to moderate stres, an endorphin named dynorphin is released, which is a powerful appetite stimulant. If you eat to release your stress, dopamine is released, which increases your level of comfort. To sum it up, You are under stress, so you eat food, and feel comforted.

What can you do to eliminate these binges while under daily stress you may encounter?

• Eliminate starches, sugars, and fats from diet and it will decrease your food cravings.
• If you believe your food binging due to stress is becoming dangerous, speak to your Physician
• Read the book, Anatomy of a Food Addiction:The Brain Chemistry Overeating by Anne Katherine.
• I personally try and stay active when I'm stressed and out of the kitchen. If I can physically occupy my mind, the craving for food does not take over.