Stress and Fatty Foods

I recently received an email from a friend who mentioned that levels of high stress have been found to create a craving for fatty foods. I certainly have experienced that myself.

After a little research, I found that in a study by UCSF, 600 women were surveyed regarding their stress levels and diet. They were questioned about various stress factors, from work problems to financial problems to family concerns. There was a remarkable correlation between the levels—as the stress went up, so did the fatty food intake.

So why do we crave these foods? Think of our bodies as going into “survival” mode when we’re stressed. The natural reaction is that our bodies want to cling to fat, since fat is what fuels the body. Therefore when we’re stressed, our appetites tend toward fatty foods.

Another reason for craving fatty foods might be based on emotional needs. We often desire to feel full and satisfied physically, especially if we don’t feel satisfied emotionally. Nothing satisfies the body better than fats. When we’re stressed, we usually we feel like we deserve an extra indulgence too!

Being aware of our predictable cravings is an important step in being able to handle them. We might not be able to do much about our circumstances in life, but knowing how our bodies react can help us use our heads when the physical and emotional “needs” take over.

Thanks to Becky for a great topic!