Why does stress make you eat bad?

Amberh82
Amberh82 Posts: 468 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Just throwing it out there...I'm curious to hear people's opinions or any support/articles you have found on this.

My stress level is through the roof right now and I'm working longer hours. I'm trying to eat good but all I want now is a big cheeseburger! which led me to the question of.....what is it that causes you to crave bad foods when you are stressed or tired?

Replies

  • Fit_Mama84
    Fit_Mama84 Posts: 234 Member
    Good question. I'm going through the same thing and would be interested to know if their is any science behind it, or if it's just something like a comforting habit. Might all be mental. But I'd be interested to find out.
  • iceey
    iceey Posts: 354 Member
    I don't know the scientific answer but I think it might have to do with comfort food and a mental thing. But that's just a guess. I have nothing to back that up with.
  • RepsnSets
    RepsnSets Posts: 805 Member
    I lose my appetite when Im stressed. I think people handle stress and triggers differently to others. maybe try something different like a walk or some form of exercise instead of reaching for food? See how that goes.
  • auzziecawth66
    auzziecawth66 Posts: 476 Member
    I think the cortisol levels (stress hormone) affect your leptin and ghrelin levels (hunger and satiety hormones)
  • karenhray7
    karenhray7 Posts: 219 Member
    Some of it has to do with serotonin; most of the junk food we go for is loaded with carbohydrates.

    This is a fairly straightforward article on the subject.
    http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2004/carbs.html
  • banteringblonde
    banteringblonde Posts: 6 Member
    During times of stress (physical or mental) your body creates the hormone Cortisol. I'm not sure how exactly it works but it's purpose is to give you a boost of energy. I've heard it described as the energy to be able to run to safety when in physical danger, like running out of a burning building. Why it makes you hungry and why they say it deposits fat in your belly area, I do not recall but this is why I HAVE to exercise every day to manage stress!
  • Fit_Mama84
    Fit_Mama84 Posts: 234 Member
    I found an article that explains a little bit about it here: http://bodyecology.com/articles/eating-when-stressed It says,

    There is a biochemical reason why the body and the mind begin to crave what we call “comfort food.”

    ■The sugars in a carbohydrate-heavy meal prompt the increase of serotonin production in the brain.
    ■Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters in our body that makes us feel good.

    And then it goes on to explain why we shouldn't do this.
  • onezeronine
    onezeronine Posts: 37 Member
    Your brain is full of lots of different chemicals and substances and hormones. These are called neurotransmitters. Lots of them have specific jobs to do, while others have many different jobs to do. Two very important neurotransmitters are called dopamine and serotonin.

    Dopamine's main job is to help your brain tell you when you're doing something good (among other jobs). That is, it's part of the reward pathway. When you're getting a massage, or looking at something beautiful, or eating something delicious, dopamine is released which tells your brain "this is good! Let's do this again!" Consumption of fat, salt and sugar helps trigger the release of dopamine.

    Serotonin has about a thousand jobs, but one of those is to regulate emotion. When serotonin is released in your brain this is usually associated with a happy feeling. Eating carbohydrates helps release more serotonin.

    TL;DR: Sugar, fat and salt make our brains happy, so our brains learn to crave these things to make it happy over and over again.

    ETA: There are lots and lots of other factors that get us reaching for comfort food when we're feeling stressed. One might be our culture - we learned growing up to celebrate and mourn with food. Another might be that eating is very distracting - while we're occupied with putting food into our mouths, we aren't thinking about what's making us upset. Tons and tons and tons of reasons, really.
  • Ashwee87
    Ashwee87 Posts: 695 Member
    Stress eating is the main reason I am fat. When I am not really stressed, I eat "normal". When I am stressed, I just want to binge eat till I feel sick. Whole pizzas, bowls of cereal, etc.

    Hopefully that is of the past now though.
  • lizp114
    lizp114 Posts: 202 Member
    I'm not sure but when I stress, I want chocolate....ummmm it takes all the pain away lol...but I'm working on that...I try to chew gum or eat something healthy instead, or if I can hit the gym
  • mwooderson
    mwooderson Posts: 254 Member
    I think the cortisol levels (stress hormone) affect your leptin and ghrelin levels (hunger and satiety hormones)

    This...plus we seek comfort and protection. High fat and high sugar foods send those signals to our bodies.
  • SkinneyGirl28
    SkinneyGirl28 Posts: 145 Member
    I am one of the few who when I hit a major stress my digestion shuts off. I can chew but not swallow. When only half stressed, I can eat, but not much as i feel full really quickly. Either way I loose too much weight. At 60 years young, my metabolism is off the charts. The older I get the more it speeds up! So ordinarily I have trouble eating enough calories to maintain my weight. I am a total vegetarian, so anything I eat is mostly fiber.

    Skinney Girl 28
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    I think the cortisol levels (stress hormone) affect your leptin and ghrelin levels (hunger and satiety hormones)

    This...plus we seek comfort and protection. High fat and high sugar foods send those signals to our bodies.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,050 Member
    Just throwing it out there...I'm curious to hear people's opinions or any support/articles you have found on this.

    My stress level is through the roof right now and I'm working longer hours. I'm trying to eat good but all I want now is a big cheeseburger! which led me to the question of.....what is it that causes you to crave bad foods when you are stressed or tired?
    People handle stress differently. Some people eat, some people workout, some people drink, some smoke, etc. Habitually people turn to what they think makes them feel better.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Katok24
    Katok24 Posts: 3
    "Hungry for Change:" http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Hungry_For_Change/70255134?trkid=496624

    Something that struck a chord with me in this documentary was that we're designed to store up excess foods in 'times of plenty' so we can survive in 'times of famine.' Additionally, they said that stress triggers the body to prepare for 'famine,' which may be why we turn toward the calorie dense foods when we are stressed.

    I, too, am a terrible stress eater(enough that I think I have a mild binge eating disorder, now). Another way to 'treat' stress, though, is to exercise! Getting outside and moving(my preferred form: running) is a great way to burn off the steam and you don't hate yourself, afterward. In fact, it makes me feel so good and (lastingly) happy!

    Good luck!

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