- While under quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be feeling stressed, bored, or frustrated with your situation. These feelings can lead to binge eating processed and palatable foods.
- Although this can temporarily make us feel better, it can have long-term effects on our physical and mental health.
- Binge eating can create a vicious cycle of eating and depression.
- Awareness and preparedness can help us avoid falling into this trap.
How does stress lead to binge eating?
In order to offset this imbalance in hormones, our body causes us to crave high-carbohydrate or highly palatable foods in order to increase these important chemicals.
These foods often contain some combination of fat and sugar, or fat and salt, Lentzke explained, which trigger the pleasure centers of the brain, making us feel more calm, content, or even somewhat euphoric.
These fluctuations affect cortisol, as well as stress-related catecholamines like epinephrine, she said, which can lead to further binge eating.
- Anticipate the times of day when you tend to get cravings. Once you know what these times are, Perelman suggests planning an activity during those times to distract yourself. It could be something like calling a friend, watching a TV show, or working out.
- Keep healthy meals and snacks on hand. If you have healthy options available, said Perelman, it will reduce the temptation for you to reach for something quick, but less healthy, when you’re feeling stressed.
- Follow a well-balanced nutrition plan that’s rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Perelman said this will promote a healthy gut microbiome, which, in turn, will aid in the absorption and digestion of nutrients and lead to better cellular function.Read More..
Also Read:Stress Rash: Tips for Identification, Treatment, and More
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