We’ve all been stressed out at one point or another. Whether it’s due to finances or relationship issues, stress is an aspect of our lives that can influence not only our moods but also our health and even our weight. A lot of people “stress eat” as a means of comfort, but times of stress can actually have a physiologically influence on the way we gain and retain weight.
In times of stress, our bodies release hormones that influence carbohydrate metabolism and insulin response. When these hormone levels are excessive, they can impact how and where we gain weight. Managing stress and the foods we eat can be a great way to avoid, or at least mitigate, the effects of stress hormones and their influence on our weight.
There are many ways to approach stress eating, but sticking to a diet that emphasises the consumption of foods that are linked to the production of “feel-good” hormones may aid not only in weight loss, but also in overall mood improvement. A diet that steers clear of junk food and is underscored by the incorporation of healthy proteins and vegetables will be essential in an anti-stress diet.
For the most part, approaching an anti-stress diet can occur in two phases, with the first phase of 3 weeks serving as almost a detox period, allowing your body time to cleanse itself of prior eating habits and to reset your approach to stress eating. Foods to eat during these three weeks should include lean meats such as veal, lean cuts of beef and skinless chicken. Legumes, nuts and eggs are also recommended during this period. The second phase (second three week period) should focus on incorporating foods that may have been restricted in phase one, including cereals and grains and root vegetables.
The anti-stress diet is a preliminary approach to managing how your body handles hormonal changes during times of stress by introducing foods that can produce positive effects on your health.
The post The “Anti Stress” Diet appeared first on .