stress eating Archives - Be Well Solutions

Stress Eating

The strongest food cravings seem to hit when you are at your weakest point. I’m sure we can all think about a time when the stress of life was piling up, and in turn we coped by eating a pile of cookies. Many people experience stress eating, but making a habit of it can be detrimental to our weight loss goals. There is much power behind the term “stress eating”. Stress, the hormones it releases, and coping strategies involving comfort foods, all can factor into overeating. Research has shown that both stress and weight gain go hand in hand, which is alarming when nearly a fourth of Americans rate their stress as an 8 out of a 10-point scale. So, why do we turn to food in times of stress? Stress Eating, Hunger, and Hormones Appetite can react to stress [...]

Stress-Free Office Snacks

Everyone has workdays that everything just feels out of control! Perhaps you have too much on your plate or you got a disagreeable email. Unfortunately, work stress is inevitable. And during these stressful times, most of us are tempted to reach for a snack to calm and comfort. Believe it or not, there is a scientific reason for this phenomenon! When we become stressed, our cortisol levels rise and our bodies naturally respond by going into “fight or flight” mode. As cortisol levels rise, our blood sugar drops causing us to crave carbohydrates to help refuel. Thus, we end up looking for a quick sweet fix like a candy bar or cookies. But looking for a refined carbohydrate will not solve your body’s response. In fact, sugar will lead to a spike in blood sugar, causing more stress. To [...]