Are you a stress eater?

Are you a stress eater?  Do you find comfort in food?  We all lead busy lives and our days throw a lot at us: work stress, family stress, life stress … STRESS!  How well we respond to the adversity, both physically and mentally, depends a lot on what we are eating and what we are not eating.  Food can be the best medicine.  Food can help reduce our stress levels or exacerbate them.  Here is a list of some foods to avoid if life is just driving you a little crazy right now (said with a clenched jaw):

• Coffee (I can hear the moans and I’m right there with you …)
• Fast food (you know what I mean)
• Sugar
• Alcohol (I can hear more moans and again I’m right there with you)
• Soft drinks

Of course, EATING certain foods can help your body better deal with some of the stress going on in your life:

• Water (which I know ya’ll are getting in your regular daily requirement, right?).
• Fresh vegetables, especially greens.
• Fresh fruit, such as blueberries.
• Wholesome grains (buckwheat, barley, brown rice to name a few).
• Healthy fats (coconut oil, avocados, extra-virgin olive oil for your salads).

See where this is going? A healthier diet can help your body better deal with the stresses of life.  BUT, if we are wired to seek out unhealthy foods when we are under stress, how do we avoid gaining weight when times get tough?

• Don’t allow yourself to become too hungry or hangry.
• Keep portion sizes in mind.
• Have on hand and eat healthy snacks (veggies and hummus, fruit, nut butters come to mind).
• Think about what you are eating.  Are you honouring your body with something good and wholesome, delicious and nutritious?
• Think about why you are eating at this particular moment.  Is it out of habit?Boredom? Seeking a false sense of security?
• Deal with your stress in ways that don’t involve eating. I don’t mean this to sound trite.  We all deal with our stress one way or another.  Rather than going down a path that will only come back to bite you in the ever-growing you-know-what, try some meditation, yoga, take a hot bath and yes, exercise to work through (or work out) your stress.

And ... while you are at it, don't forget to download my Eat Your Way to  Hormone Health Guide, which can help keep you on track!

Until next time ...

Fran xo