When people are stressed out they tend to feel hungry. Eating gives a feeling of comfort to many people, but they often don’t realize that eating can add to the stresses instead of minimizing them. Since eating gives a feeling of comfort, people also tend to overeat when under stress. The most common substance taken in during stress is caffeine, which is not only found in coffee, tea and soda. You can find caffeine in chocolates too. Caffeine adds to your stress by increasing heart beats and blood pressure. It is advised to cut back on caffeine. Limiting the intake of caffeine will reduce your stress. But do not just stop it abruptly; else you may suffer the ill effects of withdrawal. Do avoid it, reduce it gradually.
Alcohol is another substance people turn to for reducing stress. While alcohol gives a feeling of elation to your mind, the body is still under tremendous stress. Alcohol makes your body produce adrenaline and this affects your immune system. While under increased stress, some people will use alcohol to help them fall asleep. While this may cause you to feel tired and sleepy initially, alcohol actually disrupts your natural sleep pattern and you wake up feeling more tired. Alcohol only adds to your worries, and increases stress.
Another common comfort food for stressed out people is sugar. There’s hardly anyone who wouldn’t enjoy some ice-cream or a candy bar after a long day at work or any other stressful activity. Sugar affects your adrenaline glands and may feel cause you to feel depressed, tired and irritated.
Fatty foods like sugar strain your cardiovascular system. You are leading your heart to more stress by eating such foods. You must also avoid salty food as this increases blood pressure. You will loose control over your emotions. If emotionally disturbed, you are likely to feel agitated later on with compound feelings.
One more disadvantage of eating all the above food is that when stressed out, these foods add to the weight on your body and start showing gradually. Many obesity cases are due to unhealthy eating during stressful situations.
Eating chocolates, fatty foods, sweets and salty foods are all harmful when I’m stressed out. So, what is it that I should eat I’m hungry and stressed?
To control your stress and avoid hunger pangs, take in fruits, vegetables and whole grain food. These will naturally assist you in fighting stress and are good for your health because they are rich with nutrients. These foods are fat free and you will not gain weight. Maximize the nutrients by eating them raw; you will loose vitamins and enzymes after cooking them.
Here are a few tips on eating habits which could reduce stress
1. Do not skip any meals. Try to have at least 3 meals a day, with healthy snacks in between.
2. Try to eat at the same time everyday.
3. While eating focus only on eating. Do not eat while you drive, walk or work. Finish your food and proceed to whatever you want to do.
4. Incorporate fruits, salads in your meals.
5. Drink plenty of water.
