Why do I eat sugar when I'm stressed?

For many clients interested in health, body weight composition, and their relationship with food, the word "sugar" does not land as a morally neutral food, but one divided by differing views on health and well-being.

"Sugar creates harmful gylcation in the body"

"Sugar contributes to a host of inflammatory responses in the body"

"An excess of sugar could contribute to candida-related symptoms"

"Sugar is one of life's pleasure's and, when thoughtfully included, can increase one's overall

sense of satisfaction with food"

"Sugar compromises the microbiome and can contribute to a number of GI related symptoms"

"If the government subsidized fruits and vegetables, and taxed sugar-filled products, we'd see a dramatic shift in metabolic disorders in the U.S."

"Moderation is the key to a healthy, sustainable diet over time"

"Sugar is as addictive to the brain as cocaine"

"Once a person truly feels free to eat sugar, without fear or shame, sugar will take its rightful place in the diet"

As you can see, the very process of deciding where one stands in relationship with sugar can feel stressful and conflicting, as each of the above points may contain a seed of truth!

Stressful situations

Now let's enter the scene: You didn't sleep well last night. You're putting out a couple work-related fires. Then the school calls - your kid is sick and needs to be picked up.

Or this scene: You've been walking most days and lifting weights a couple days a week. You wake up one morning to get dressed and your pants fit more tightly than usual.

Or this: You're watching the news, and feel a heavy weight in your chest. You feel ineffective or powerless as to what you're witnessing happening in the country and world.

Or: You and your partner get into an argument via text and won't see each other for several hours (or a day or two) to try and work it out.

There is no poverty of life situations that might contribute to a state of stress!

Why do I eat sugar when I am stressed?

After working with clients for many years, here are some of the most common reasons that present:

1.) Eat sugar temporarily provides an "island of relief" from a state of stress

2.) Sugar can act as a substitute for the human desire to be soothed and cared for, or a sense of blissfully being back in the womb

3.) Sugar can create an altered state, especially in larger amounts, that can calm the nervous system

4.) Sugar can provide a burst of energy that the body does not have

5.) Sugar can alter the mood temporarily, providing a "high"

6.) Sugar can distract from painful emotions like shame, self-judgment, anger, or feelings of powerlessness or feeling trapped

7.) Eating sugar can restore glucose, especially for those that restrict their eating or under-eat

8.) Eating sugar, when viewed as "unwanted," can create a manageable problem. I can't control what's happening in my life or in the world, but I CAN get my eating back on track.

What can I do to stop eating sugar when I'm stressed?

First, you need to understand the circumstances in which you reach for sugar. Are you tired at a certain part of the day? Do you eat sugar under relational stress? Do you reach for sugar when you are overthinking or ruminating? Do you eat sugar when you're overstimulated socially? Do you reach for sugar when you are having challenged with body image? Or when you've unwittingly under-eaten most of the day?

Working with our relationship with sugar can have a nutritional component (i.e. setting the diet up to mitigate sugar cravings - very important!) a psychological component (i.e. working with unhelpful fears and beliefs about sugar and emotional states), or a physiological component (i.e. working with nervous system dysregulation). Not every clients needs to work in all areas, but the key is working in the most impactful area(s) for YOU.

When we view our unwanted eating habits as teachers, we can see the underlying needs and skillsets that need to be in place. Working with our eating helps grow us up!

Warmly,

Laura

Looking for a Nutritionist, Dietician, or Food Therapist in Grand Rapids, MI? Or interested in remote support via Zoom? Contact Laura here to check on session availability.