Stressed? Try These Snacks
Many women turn to food when they feel stressed. But there are other ways to deal with problem situations besides devouring your favorite candy bar.
In part III of the Women and Stress series, The Saturday Early Show's Dr. Mallika Marshall offers advice on how you can curb these urges and offers foods that can actually calm you.
Sadly, Marshall says stress-induced eating is more common among women than men. Both men and women tend to snack and overeat when they get stressed out, but women more so, snd they tend to continue to overindulge after the stressor is gone.
Women often turn to foods that aren't good for them simply because they taste so good, provide a temporary high and tend to remind people of happier times, Marshall explains. Foods like potato chips, chocolate, ice cream, cheese are good to have once in a while. Unfortunately, when stress is added to the picture, moderation goes out the window.
The following are Marshall's tips on what you can do next time you are stressed and tempted to eat your favorite junk food.
First, figure out whether you tend to overeat and eat the wrong things when you get stressed. That way, next time you're faced with a stressful situation, you'll be prepared and have a plan of attack before reaching for the candy bar. Some things you may want to consider are:
- Taking a Walk
- Do Breathing Exercises
- Talk on the Phone
- Read a Book
If you still have the urge to eat, there are some healthy alternative foods and drinks you may want to try instead.
Marshall says dairy can help elevate mood and cheese is particularly popular as a feel-good food. But try eating some low-fat cheese on some low-fat crackers. Another good option is a low-fat yogurt smoothie, which will also relieve your sugar craving. And then of course, a piece of fruit can also meet your sugar needs but give you a good source of fiber as well.
Milk contains whey protein that can boost levels of an amino acid called tryptophan, which is used to make serotonin in the body; serotonin makes you feel calm and relaxed.Salmon contains Omega-3 Fatty acids that can also help improve mood and reduce feelings of aggression.
And leafy green vegetables are rich in B vitamins that can also help brain function and improve mood through serotonin production.