"Sleep and stress have zero calories and you can’t eat them, but they dramatically impact what you choose to eat, how much of it you eat, and whether it will be burned or stored once you eat it." - Dr. Jade Teta
I shared this quote earlier in the month in an article about sleep.
Today, let’s discuss one of the top (probably #1) nutritional challenges people face - Emotional/stress eating.
Studies by the Mayo clinic show that real hunger only drives about 20% of eating.
We are spending way too much time mindlessly eating and comforting ourselves with food.
So, instead of arguing about carbs and what current fad-diet is the best, we need to focus on the real food problems that are preventing people from making progress with health and weight management.
This week, prior to eating, ask yourself the question, “Why am I eating right now?”
Are you really hungry?
Or are you anxious, angry, lonely, tired or bored?
Step one is actually becoming aware of why we are eating.
Next, we can choose to do something about it.
One approach is finding a few “calorie negative” ways to manage stress.
Walking is a great example.
- It relieves stress.
- Burns calories instead of onboarding them.
- Removes you from the situation and gives you time to reflect, when you realize that you weren’t hungry.
Eliminating one meal, snack or drink a day that’s not consumed because of real hunger will have a major impact on your health and weight loss/management goals.
I’d love to hear your “calorie negative” ways to reduce stress eating!
Keep moving,
Coach Dom
