Nutrition and Stress - The Intertwining

Nutrition and stress are more related than you could imagine. In fact, they are intertwining - one affecting other in a little circle. Your eating habits in relation to stress can become a negative vicious cycle until you understand what is happening and take charge of the nutrition you put into your body.

Stress is a whole body phenomenon

The effects of stressors are a result of your way of looking at things. But your overall health and body function have much to do with how well you mind is able to function.

You need to be feeding the neurotransmitters in your brain a balanced, high quality diet in order for them to do their jobs efficiently. Poor nutrition depletes these neurotransmitters. Thinking isn't as sharp. Depression and anxiety are common results of these neurotransmitters being depleted.

Stress also depletes your neurotransmitters. It's important to have even higher quality nutrition when you are under increased stress. The greater amounts of stress you experience, the higher the quality of nutrition you require.

Stress makes eating a healthy diet more difficult

The problem is, it becomes harder than usual to eat a high quality diet when you are under stress. Why is that? For one thing, your body, in an attempt to balance your brain chemistry, craves EDNA foods (foods that are energy dense nutrition poor). These are also called comfort foods.

You find yourself attracted to sweet or salty foods and foods containing fats. These foods give you a temporary calming effect, but in the long run aggravate the stress you're under. You feel let down after the good feelings, and you find yourself packing on the pounds.

Good news

The good news is you can do something about this! You can improve your diet. It doesn't have to be a totally painful process. Adding a few different foods, taking away a few, finding acceptable substitutes for your cravings, eating healthy snacks instead of junk food. A nutritional supplement can do much to improve energy, mood, and thinking.

Improving nutrition is one the top ways you can help yourself manage stress. Find a number of great diet improving ideas on this website.

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