Breaking the Stress Cycle: Managing Cortisol, Cravings, and Healthy Eating Habits

Stress plays a large part in life and very often it serves us well, as long as we can manage the stress and not let it take over.

During later life, when children become adults or professional goals have been achieved, or both, stress can have a negative influence on us.

Managing stress can be done by overeating, overdrinking (alcohol), overspending or watching too much TV. If you feel you are doing any of these things you may identify that you are managing stress.

Stress releases a hormone called cortisol. Releasing cortisol means we do not release sufficient T3 hormone which burns body fat. High cortisol also encourages muscle breakdown. If you have less muscle you are burning fewer calories during the day. 

If you then add in a restriction in calories because you feel you’re gaining weight, the body thinks it is going into starvation mode and more cortisol is released, causing blood sugars to lower, you crave the chocolate and cakes and your body is in constant flux.

Now is the time to change the way you think about food. Eat little and often, making sure breakfast is a ten, to avoid the dips in low blood sugar. Eliminate refined foods like chocolate and cakes etc. Eat protein at each meal, this will give your body more fuel to build or maintain muscle and you’ll feel fuller for longer.