is self-isolation stress making you eat more?
stress and hunger hormones can make you overeat and make poor food choices.
2 minute read
stress can increase cravings and make us overeat. stock/getty
staying home may have become our new normal during the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t stressful which can have significant consequences for our health, like anxiety and weight gain, writes eatingwell.when we’re stressed, we tend to look for comfort in food, according to eatingwell. add to this an increase of cortisol — known as the stress hormone — which increases our appetite, making it more likely we reach for foods that are high in carbohydrates. this can create a cycle that raises our blood sugar, while extra carbs that the body doesn’t need are stored as fat, which, in turn, leads to weight gain.
hunger hormones are a thing
hunger hormones (also known as ghrelin) also have a role in increasing our appetite when we’re stressed. isabel smith, a registered dietitian and hormone expert, told eatingwell that higher ghrelin means a higher appetite, adding that a lack of sleep also increases our stress hormones, which can have an impact on what foods we crave and overeat.there are ways, however, to manage hormones and control your reactions to stress according to eatingwell.maintain a healthy diet. while it may seem self-explanatory, eating a healthy mix of vegetables, grains and protein will help to make sure you stay full and prevent you from overeating at night. eating something sweet once in a while is fine, but it’s important to make sure we take everything in moderation. anabelle clebaner, ms, rd, ryt, registered dietitian and founder of wellspring nutrition, told eatingwell that indulging in food whenever we’re stressed is fine, but it shouldn’t become a coping mechanism.look for alternative ways to manage stress. if there are things stressing you out, like the news, put limits on it, said clebaner. instead, look for other ways to manage your stress like getting outside, going for a walk, or reading a book that allow your mind to relaxsleep. while it seems obvious, sleep is important to help quash your hunger and stress. if you can, try to get between seven to eight hours of sleep a night to curb cravings, and help get your hormones back in balance. .share story
