TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Many people feel stress facing the process of adaptation in carrying out a new life order during a pandemic. When feeling stressed, habitual eat a person becomes affected, it can even make him stay away from healthy eating habits and ultimately have a negative impact on the body.
Senior Director, Worldwide Nutrition Education and Training, Herbalife Nutrition, Susan Bowerman says the body’s natural response to stress makes us more active and alert. However, when this stress response is activated continuously it can overload the immune system making it more difficult for the body to ward off disease.
Since a good immune system relies on a nutrient-rich diet, it guarantees that sufficiency is fulfilled nutrition the body is one of the best defenses against disease, especially in the face of times of uncertainty like today. “When stressed, people can also feel tired and depressed. If so the easy escape is to eat. But now it’s a good idea to start thinking about changing your fast and convenient diet, often loaded with fat, salt and sugar, into healthy foods. And if you turn to caffeine to ward off fatigue, that can also backfire, disrupting your sleep, “he says.
If the food that is consumed frequently is high in calories, it can stimulate the release of certain chemicals in the brain that make us feel better. At least it happens for the short term and makes us want to eat on. Keep in mind that overeating can lead to weight gain which can lead to psychological distress and end up eating more. “If you can’t get the stress out of your mind, a few things below can help you regulate the way you respond to stress,” he says.
- Eat a balanced diet.
Try to include some lean protein – such as poultry, eggs, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, nuts or soy products – on your menu. Protein satisfies hunger and helps you stay mentally alert. Supplement your diet with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. - Eat regularly and don’t skip meals.
When you’re stressed, it’s easy to delay eating – or even skip it altogether – as a result, your energy levels drop, and you may stop eating when you finally eat a snack. If stress is an appetite killer, try eating small amounts of food more frequently throughout the day. - Try to avoid eating as a stress reliever.
A brisk walk or a cup of herbal tea may work to reduce stress. But, if you feel the need to eat, crunchy hard foods help relieve stress by exercising tight jaw muscles. Try snacking on a handful of almonds, soy beans, or carrots. - Cut back on caffeine.
People often feel deprived of energy when stressed and turn to caffeine to restore the mood, but it can disrupt your night’s sleep. If caffeine keeps you up at night, replace it with another warm drink that can help relax you - Try to separate your meal times with work times or other sources of stress.
If you eat at the table at work, or at dinner and think about other responsibilities. So try taking the extra time to slow down and relax while you eat. That way, you will tend to eat less and enjoy your mealtime.
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