Effect of Nutrition on Stress

Nutrition and Stress

Stress affects eating habits by causing a person to exhibit patterns of disordered eating (Khansari, et al., 1990). Some people will choose to eat too much, and others will eat too little (Seaward, n.d.). Additionally, it is not just the amount of food a person is taking in, but the type of food that is being consumed. Comfort foods are commonly seen in the eating habits of people who are stressed, even if the person would not normally consume those foods or would not eat them as often (Khansari, et al., 1990). When a person is experiencing stress, though, he or she unconsciously reaches for foods that bring psychological comfort, and that can actually cause more harm to the body. It is very important that a person under stress focuses on eating properly, such as having three meals per day, eating only appropriate snacks, and avoiding a number of foods that are unhealthy (Khansari, et al., 1990). Eating the proper amounts of healthy foods can lower stress levels, and is a much better choice for those who are experiencing tension and anxiety, regardless of the reasons behind those feelings.

When a person is under stress, digestion, absorption, and elimination are all affected (Seaward, n.d.). It becomes more difficult for the person to digest the meals he or she eats in some cases, while other people digest their food rapidly because their stress response brings them anxiety, which speeds up the body's processes (Khansari, et al., 1990). Having food move through the body too quickly is not healthy, however, because it keeps the rates of absorption low (Seaward, n.d.). Vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients need time in the body for the absorption process to take place, and then the waste that is left over is eliminated (Khansari, et al., 1990). Eliminating waste too quickly takes too many nutrients with it, and slow digestion can mean good absorption but elimination that takes too long. That is also unhealthy for the body to hold onto waste products for longer than needed to remove the nutrients from them.

There are numerous foods that can trigger the stress response. The most common one of these is caffeine, which is a stimulant and can raise a person's anxiety and stress levels (Seaward, n.d.). Ingesting caffeine may also lead to irritability and difficulty sleeping, both of which can make stress worse. Other foods that are problematic for triggering a strong response to stress are sugar and carbohydrates (Seaward, n.d.). These are, however, commonly found in foods that people like to eat when they feel stress. That creates a serious problem for them, because they are exacerbating the problems they already have by consuming foods that increase their stress response (Khansari, et al., 1990). That can lead these people to have anxiety attacks, generalized problems with anxiety, or simply an elevated stress level that can be very hard on the body over time. Those who are allergic to specific foods should also avoid those foods, as they can trigger a bad reaction that can increase stress, as well.