Page 23 - Surveyor 50.1
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Stress-less by avoiding emotional eating
Vol.50 No.1 2015
Emotional eating Stress can bring on increased levels of
cortisol which is the “the stress hormone”.
Emotional eating is a prevalent While cortisol has its beneficial function,
fixture in our society excessive levels of cortisol can bring on
especially when the holiday chronic stress. High levels of cortisol can
season is spent enjoying new create cravings for salty and sweet foods
dishes, not to mention the which can lead to excess weight gain. It’s
stressful episodes that may a holiday to enjoy, but concentrate more
come in between. With emotional eating, on fiber-filled foods such as whole grain
the check and balance between the good
tastes and the extra calories were ignored. sandwiches or those with low-calorie
It is that extra dishes that we can pack vegetables, salad and fresh fruits to keep our
on extra pounds in these few weeks of
holidays. body and brain fueled throughout the day.
It was that emotional eating that makes it Cortisol cravings: Stress can bring on Nervous energy: When a holiday is filled
impossible to lose holiday weight, and to increased levels of cortisol which is the with stressed or anxious moments, we can
regret it later was a waste of time. What “the stress hormone”. While cortisol has become “orally fidgety”. This can lead to
should have been a wise plan is to try and its beneficial function, excessive levels of nail biting or teeth grinding, and start eating
enjoy new recipes but maintain a sensible cortisol can bring on chronic stress. High even when we are not hungry. As a result,
balance that could only be a lesson learnt levels of cortisol can create cravings for we may just munch on chips or drink soda
and adopted in the coming holiday. It is salty and sweet foods which can lead to to give our mouths something to do out of
the lesson to reduce the temptation and excess weight gain. It’s a holiday to enjoy, nervousness or boredom. At the very least,
trying to be choosy or perhaps avoiding it but concentrate more on fiber-filled foods think about what we are eating before
altogether that could be a head start for such as whole grain sandwiches or those taking new bites, again and again.
the days to come before another holiday with low-calorie vegetables, salad and
session starts. But learning from all the fresh fruits to keep our body and brain Childhood rewarding habits: We all have
mistakes from emotional eating could be fueled throughout the day. comforting childhood memories that
an effective stress management lesson. revolve around food as rewards by our
Social eating: Seeking social support is parents to celebrate our successes, be it
Choosy with meals a great way to relieve stress. With family sweets or ice cream cones, or those at
members and friends, we tend to try the fast food outlets. Those emotionally-
The stress that we face due to heavy new appetizers, hot fudge recipes and based attachments to food while growing
workloads and high demands make us sweet deserts, and enjoy the moment of up are now part and parcel of our daily
fail to struggle with maintaining a healthy togetherness. Of course we are enjoying lives as parents. When in times of
diet and staying fit. It is never wrong to the glorious moment but all social forms stress, few things can be as powerfully
try new dishes that makes our holidays of emotional eating can only make us feel comforting or rewarding as our favorite
memorable, but understanding what we better in the short term, and only to regret foods without realising that what we eat
are supposed to eat, how much to take later. It’s never wrong to go ahead and to celebrate and to feel better are all part
and what to avoid can all lead to stress- take a small piece of cake or one cookie of emotional eating habits that can lead to
less holidays. The art of developing an and enjoy it, while the rest of the plate being overweight.
effective stress management technique can be filled with healthy vegetables and
and some coping skills are all that are fruits, whole grain crackers, cheese and Stuffing emotions: Many of us eat to
required to stay healthy. lean meats. quiet our uncomfortable emotions. We
may face uncomfortable confrontation
The daily stress that we all have can
always lead to emotional eating, but
it’s even worse if the stress episodes
were carted together during the holiday
session. Emotional eating can lead to
many negative results, some of which are
as follows:
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