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.