Monday, July 5, 2010

Eat Healthy When You'Re Under Stress

A busy schedule and hectic lifestyle can take a toll on your eating habits. Many people develop unhealthy eating habits when they're under stress, but there are ways to make healthier choices and keep up your energy levels to tackle the challenges ahead. Here are a few ways to eat healthy when you're under stress.


Instructions


1. Eat a healthy breakfast. Eating after a good night's rest is essential for keeping your body fully charged. Choose complex carbohydrates such as oatmeal with milk, or whole wheat toast with cheese for a positive start to the day. Breakfast reduces hunger and prevents unnecessary snacking.


2. Pass on coffee. Caffeine is a stimulant that can trigger a stress response and make it difficult to calm down. Cut back or eliminate coffee during the day to make it easier for your body to adjust and stay in balance.


3. Make healthy versions of comfort food. Many people turn to high fat food and snacks for comfort during stressful situations. Cook or bake low-fat and healthy alternatives of your favorite foods and keep them on hand for difficult times.


4. Keep fruits and vegetables on hand. Cut up fruit wedges or vegetable sticks so you always have something crunchy to snack on when you feel the need to snack. Most are low in fat and calories, and they can provide much more nutrition than processed snacks and junk food brought at the last minute.


5. Learn to cook healthy meals. Making dinner is stressful for many people, but if you plan a creative and tasty meal, you'll be less likely to order in or choose something from the fast food drive-thru.


6. Snack on popcorn. Lightly salted, homemade popcorn is low in calories and can easily take care of your crunchy or salty cravings during stressful times.








7. Don't eat when you're not hungry. Stress is an emotional response that can put you in too vulnerable position to make a rational choice. Learn determine real hunger from stress and anxiety.

Tags: during stressful, eating habits, Many people, under stress, your body