10 Ways Diet Affects Your Stress Levels

How much do our food choices affect how we’re feeling? More than you might think. What and when we eat (and drink) can mean the difference between feeling tired and stressed and calm and ready to tackle any challenge. Here are 10 ways diet can affect stress levels:

1.    Blood Sugar Levels

Your blood sugar levels are directly related to your mood. High levels tend to make you sleepy, and low levels make you irritable or anxious. Eating small, frequent meals helps regulate blood sugar and keep it balanced.

2.    Nutrition Intake

You feel better when your body has the nutrients it needs, and a lack of certain nutrients can raise your cortisol levels, causing you to feel stressed. Some important nutrients to go for include protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and magnesium.

3.    Caffeine and Stimulants

There’s nothing wrong with one morning cup of coffee, but too much caffeine can cause you to feel stress and anxiety. It’s also important to consider when you have caffeine; having it too early can exacerbate stress from naturally spiking cortisol levels, and too late could affect your sleep.  

4.   Alcohol

Alcohol can cause sleep problems for some, and poor-quality sleep leads to stress. Furthermore, drinking alcohol excessively can actually cause depression and anxiety.

5.    Hydration

Dehydration can make you lightheaded, fatigued, and cause headaches — all things that can contribute to stress. Consistently drinking enough water helps our bodies function properly and makes us more prepared to handle life’s ups and downs.

6.   Meal Timing

Your body needs regular fuel to keep cortisol levels in check. Frequently skipping meals can cause an increase production of cortisol, causing you to feel stressed.

7.    Intuitive Eating

The best way to eat healthy is to pay attention to what your body already knows: when you’re hungry, when you’re full, and how different foods make you feel. This mindfulness will help you keep a more balanced diet and not stress about how or what you’re eating.

8.   Sleep & Diet Synergy

We all make better decisions after a good night’s sleep — food choices included. Additionally, a lack of sleep can cause your body to signal for more energy, causing you to feel hungry even when you don’t really need to eat.

9.   Food Sensitivities

Going hand-in-hand with intuitive eating, paying attention to how food makes you feel is also important in identifying food sensitivities. Discovering patterns and learning which foods your body doesn’t process well will make you feel healthier, happier, and less stressed.

10. Food Morality  

Worrying excessively about whether food is “good” or “bad” and feeling shame about eating certain foods is not healthy and will cause stress. Instead, practice intuitive eating, and always remember to be patient and understanding with yourself.