The Stress and Food Cycle
In the previous article I listed many healthy ways to manage the stress in your life. Notice I did not list “indulge in comfort food” or “treat yourself with food” as one of the healthy alternatives to stress. Yet how many people use food as their “go to” cure for stress? If this strikes a chord with you, you are not alone.
Food is a very common tool that some people use to try and mediate stress. However, food as a “cure” typically provokes even more stress. Comfort foods that people often turn to are laden with sugar and fat and are not the kind that makes you feel good when you finish it. It is the type of food that is easy to overindulge in and become overfull, and full of guilt. This behavior can be the cause of unwanted weight gain. You then feel more stressed, engage in more mindless eating and experience more remorse.
You can break free of this vicious cycle by understanding the real reason you use food to deal with your stress and by incorporating 3 simple steps into your life.
Take the first step to self-discovery by tuning into my free mini-webinar 3 Simple Steps to Stop the Stress and the Weight Gain. This webinar will give you an introduction to the strategies you need to combat stress, as well as insight into how to best avoid the stress all-together.
Just click here for instant access to this webinar and let me help you break free from this cycle!
Your turn to take action: Do you turn to food when feeling stressed, overwhelmed or emotional? What action will you take next time you are feeling this way instead of eating? Please share in the comments below.
Bonnie – I believe stress is certainly a huge contributor to overeating or eating unhealthy. Thanks!
Yes Deidre, it certainly is. I see this so much in my practice, and helping people to overcome stress eating is very fulfilling. Thank you for commenting.
It is very true that food and stress can be linked. Since I completely changed my diet and went Wheat Free, Grain Free and Gluten Free I have not had the same need for sugar. It has been a remarkable experience for my stress levels, my successful weight loss and especially for my health. Best Regards, Wendy UBC
Wendy, it is great to hear how changing your diet has changed your life. Thank you for sharing and commenting!
Oddly enough, I am the opposite. I have no diet when I am stressed, however most people I know splurge on food then! Great post.
There are actually 2 types of stress that often cause different reactions. An acute stress comes on quickly and lasts a short time and often I see decreased appetite and weight loss in people dealing with acute stress. In chronic stress, however, the consistent elevated stress hormones leads to weight gain, coupled with people turning to food to seek relief and comfort and bam…adding insult to injury and even more weight gain.