Ever notice that we tend to “binge” when we feel stressed. This is because the sad, anxious and depressed feelings we have may lower levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Serotonin brightens our mood and when levels are low, we tend to crave foods loaded with fat and sugar. That’s because fat and sugar stimulate serotonin production. Unfortunately, they also tend to promote excess weight.
If the binging we did when we felt stressed involved eating naturally sweet foods like fresh fruits and good fats like almonds and walnuts, it probably wouldn’t contribute to weight gain. But most of the time people binge on empty calorie foods such as candy, soda pop, chips, ice cream and donuts, cookies and other pastries made with white flour, refined sugar and processed fats.
These empty calorie foods don’t give us the vitamins and minerals that the body needs to deal with stress. Instead, they deplete the reserves of critical nutrients, causing us to feel even more unable to cope with what’s troubling us.
So, if you get cravings for junk food when you're stressed, there are vitamin and herbal supplements that will relieve those cravings by lifting your serotonin levels.
I did a test on myself. I filled a large basket with fruit on the kitchen counter for my snacks. I promised myself 1 week without processed flour, sugar, and other processed foods. I ate small meals with balanced protein/carb/veggy combinations to control my low blood sugar, then everytime I got hungry or had a craving during the day/night I went to the fruit basket for my snack. During this same time I took a short walk each day and took some good quality adaptogens to block stress hormones. By the end of the 1st week I had so much more energy and a much more positive outlook. As a bonus I was 2 pounds lighter.
The second week I told myself I could eat whatever I wanted. I had some processed foods, some processed sugar, etc. Within 4 days I was feeling tired and sluggish and not 'on top' of things. Of course, I found the 2 pounds that were lost.
By doing this actual test you will teach your brain to choose the fruit and healthy food so you will feel better. No one wants to feel tired and sluggish on purpose. We all would choose to feel energetic, happy, and 'on top' of our responsibilities.
Needless to say the 3rd week I refilled that fruit basket and went back to the plan that I tested out the 1st week. Including the small healthy meals/snacks, moderate exercise, and the vitamins/herbs. If you want to be 'on top' of your game you must...
1) feed yourself the right fuel
2) burn off some of those calories
3) lower your stress levels
4) increase your happy hormones
5) live with a purpose
But not necessarily in that order. When you are under extreme stress those steps may be impossible to take without lowering those stress levels first. This may mean adjustments to your lifestyle and thinking. To help with that process there are some amazing adaptogenic herbs that will block the stress hormones from flooding into your system and give you that inner calm and peace that you need in order to make the right food choices as well as right life choices.
This may be a long process for me since I have recently endured a long period of extreme stress that was out of my control. I have a lot of healing to do to restore my central nervous system to good health. I have promised myself to go on this journey to better health and happiness and share it with my friends and family along the way. I challenge you to try the same test that I used on myself and let me know what results you find. If you need any assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Sandra John
Natural Health Consultant
http://www.mynsp.com/esuite/home/sandrajohn
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