Stress and Diet

Introduction:

Stress on a short term, goal oriented path; helps us achieve; get through the rough patches in our lives, and helps us perform in periods of extreme difficulty. In these cases, we use the good stress or rush of adrenaline to gain the desired objective.

Such as:

Planning and going through a wedding.

Making a career change for the better.

Finishing our schooling by taking finals.

Aiding a loved one who is sick.

Getting through the pain and the turmoil when a loved on dies.

We need the skills and the extra adrenaline to get through these times, to do what is required and to finish. In all of these examples, the outcome is near. We can see it and in a lot of the cases, we can even set a date to when the stress of the situation will end.

The problem is when stress becomes a continuation in our lives, there appears to be no end in sight and we have adapted behaviors that add to the stress that compromise our physical, mental and psychological health.

stress management

Stress takes it’s toll on us mentally:

Fatigue

Apathy

Forgetfulness

Errors in judgment

Simple mistakes

Stress takes it’s toll on us physically:

Headaches

Migraines

Indigestion problems

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Weight gain or loss

Sleep deprivation

High blood pressure

Diabetes

Heat problems

Stroke

Stress takes a toll on us psychologically:

Forgetfulness

Feeling of being on edge

Feeling of doom

Depression

Anxiety

Loss of memory

Lack of sexual desire

Loss of interest in everyday activities

Loss of interest in activities that you love

When you are experiencing stress and anxiety for a prolonged period, when the anxiety you feel does not coincide with a life change, or when the feeling doesn’t dissipate, but lingers, it is time to seek professional help.

Some stressors can be caused and affected by poor diet.

The brain physiologically can be affected by lack of vitamins and minerals, thus affecting our thoughts, feelings and behavior.

The Vitamin B Group is very relevant to the brain, depression and stress susceptibility.

Vitamin B deficiency is felt to be associated with depression, nervous system weakness and dementia.

Vitamin B2 deficiency is associated with nervous system disorders and depression.

Vitamin B3 is essential for protein synthesis, including the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is necessary for maintaining a healthy nervous system.

Vitamin B6 deficiency is associated with depression and dementia.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with peripheral nerve degeneration, dementia and depression.

Vitamin C maintains a healthy immune system, which is important for reducing stress.

vitamin b suplement

vitamin C supplement

Processed foods are less productive for your immunity system and your serotonin levels than fresh foods.

Food allergies can cause a great deal of stress on you physically and mentally. Milk wheat eggs, corn and sugar are the major culprits. Food allergies are also a major cause of sleep deprivation, which leads to a higher stress level.

Good nutrition for healthy body, mind and well being includes:

Several daily servings of fresh vegetables (high in B complex vitamins) and fruits.

Two servings daily of protein – seafood, poultry, lean beef.

Two to Four servings of whole grains.

diet and nutrition

Water, Water and More Water:

Dehydration can be a stress trigger. Intake of water re-hydrates your system and leads to a healthier, more balanced life style. Water, not soda, coffee or alcohol – flushes the bodies system of toxins and replenishes the cells with the hydration needed to retain blood circulation, thus leading to less muscle cramps, fewer headaches, less intestinal problems, etc.

The Most Common Stress Inducing Foods to Avoid or Limit:

Caffeine – increases heart rate, slows the immune system and has a "quick pick me up – crash and burn" quality. Try limiting your coffee and soda intake to one to two servings a day. You may experience some headache withdrawal at first and a bit of sluggishness. But after your initial cleansing, you will actually feel more refreshed, more energized and your headaches should decrease.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) and hydrolyzed plant or vegetable proteins are food additives that are used to enhance flavor. Some of the side effects to these additives are:

Headaches

Dizziness

Balance difficulties

Increased asthma triggers

Skin rash

Palpitations

Insomnia

Depression

Sugar has empty calories; no nutritional value and it can deplete the body of nutrients.

Sugar is addictive – it can give you a "high" and then a "low" a few hours after ingestion.

Over use of sugar can lead to; diabetes, high blood pressure, palpitations and shakes.

Conclusion:

No one can be perfect when it comes to diet. We love to indulge once in a while on cake or ice cream. I love a latte, which has double the caffeine of regular coffee. Don’t deprive your self of treats here and there. Just watch your daily intake of these stress foods and additives. Try drinking a glass of water in place of your third cup of coffee. Try eating a piece of fruit instead of a candy bar. Common sense will lead you, and your body image, tension level and feeling of well-being will be your reward.