Eating Healthfully During Stressful Times

I was sitting at my desk with thoughts of M&M’s, chips, gummy bears…you name it…running through my head. Why can’t I shake those thoughts? I know I need to minimize sugar in my diet but I REALLY want something high in sugar and all the stuff I shouldn’t eat….
 
Does this ever happen to you? Stress causes an increase in the production of the stress hormone cortisol in our body. How do you respond to that increase? You do (or eat) something that is enjoyable and will release endorphins (the feel good hormone) into your system. If stress eating is one of your challenges, give some thought to what triggers stress in your life and find other outlets for those emotions…talk to a friend, go for a walk, surf the internet…find what works for you. Stress eating can become a bad habit and according to Susan Kleiner, PhD, RD, “Food changes behavior and behavior drives choice.”
 
The following article outlines some tips on how to eat healthfully during stressful times: build a good nutrition foundation; enjoy complex carbs; recognize what is happening; be mindful; have a plan B and C; fool yourself; try a piece of fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth; and out of sight really does help. Don’t let momentary stress lead to the stress of additional weight gain. Think of healthy habits you can substitute for that bag of candy that, at the moment, seems like a good solution to a bad day. Read on for more information on how to eat healthfully during stressful times.