- Stress plays a factor in weight loss.
- Sugar and high-fat foods stimulate the brain to release pleasure hormones to reduce stress as well as providing quick energy, causing overheating and increasing stress.
- Some of the worse foods for stress? Ice cream – it’s high in refined sugar.
- Foods with high salt and refined carbs elevate blood pressure and increase anxiety.
- Pressed juices trigger a rush of stress hormones due to low fiber and high glucose and fructose levels.
- Alcohol causes sleep problems, blood sugar swings and dehydration increasing stress hormones.
- Artificial sweeteners block serotonin. This causes headaches, insomnia and mood changes which increases stress.
- The best foods to reduce stress include those with folic acids such as greens, beans, and avocado.
- Slow burning complex carbs such as whole grains increase serotonin.
- Foods containing omega 3 fatty acids such as salmon, flax seeds, and nuts increases serotonin.