| Stress, Comfort Foods and Weight Gain | | | | to stress. The primary cause for over-eating that |
| What do you associate comfort foods with? When do | | | | women have stated in various studies is a lack of |
| we need these 'comfort foods'? The answers to | | | | emotional support. |
| these questions bring forth the direct connection | | | | That makes it imperative for those of us trying to lose |
| between stress, comfort foods and weight gain. | | | | weight to build a support network that we can rely on |
| Most comfort foods are high carbohydrate, high fat or | | | | during periods of stress. |
| both. | | | | It may mean reaching out to them for help, just blowing |
| A bowl of macaroni and cheese or buttery mashed | | | | off steam, or socializing with supportive friends so we |
| potatoes are just two examples of the variety of food | | | | are not focusing on tough issues alone. Being with |
| we consider comfort food. | | | | company also means we are less likely to consume a |
| We are most likely to reach for these foods when we | | | | box of chocolate, or a couple of bottles of wine. |
| are under stress and need re-assurance at some | | | | Imagine the number of calories and weight gain you |
| level. For a lot of us, comfort foods tend to provide | | | | save yourself every time you do not eat an extra |
| that reassurance - the same feeling you probably got | | | | piece of chocolate or an extra serving of food? |
| as a child eating those foods that all will be okay. | | | | What all of us can do is just to be more aware and |
| Not only do we eat more under stress, we also tend | | | | conscious of how we react to stress. This awareness |
| to consume alcohol more often. That means we are | | | | in itself will help guide actions and help us make |
| not only adding in the calories from feel-good food | | | | choices that don't have to automatically mean weight |
| items, we are also adding in a large number of empty | | | | gain. |
| calories from stress-induced drinking. | | | | It also means that we can and should stop using |
| All the extra calories mean a lot of extra workouts to | | | | stress as an excuse to explain any weight gain. |
| burn them off, or more than likely, weight gain over a | | | | So there you have it. No more excuses. It's time to |
| period of time. | | | | take charge of your life, knock out those stressful |
| Studies have shown that women in particular are | | | | habits and replace them with good, healthy habits. |
| more at risk for eating and drinking in direct response | | | | |