Greetings beloved friends and steemians of this lovely community. Trusting God Almighty that we are all doing good?
Food is an important component of the human life needed for survival and performing daily life activities. Food can be classified as either fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains or proteins. Aside it's nutritional benefits, food can be a symbol of culture or tradition and as well be a precursor for social bonding.
Thank you @khursheedanwar for organizing this contest; #strees-eating as this will enable us have more insights on stress eating as well as it's health implications.
What is stress eating?
Stress eating is synonymous to emotional eating. This is a non-pathological condition in which an individual uses food to help cope with anxiety, stress, anger, boredom, and other forms of emotions he/she is passing through. More often, this is as a result of elevated cortisol (a hormone that aids the body in responding to stress, helps to maintain blood pressure and as well, regulate the immune system). When the level of the cortisol is raised for a prolonged period of time due to stress, the resultant effect is an increase in the amount of food one consumes, more fats deposit and weight gain.
Other environmental factors also contribute to stress eating. I am guilty of this. These environmental factors could range from being around food, perceiving the aroma coming from foods, or by just seeing some sort of food advertisement.
Negative effects of stress eating
Stress eating is unhealthy for an individual and it comes with health implications. These include:
- Weight gain: During the Covid19 lockdown, I was so bored being indoors that I resorted to stress eating. Within that period, I gained so much weight that my doctor was so much worried about my health. It took me several months of regular exercise after the pandemic before I was able to burn off some fats and regain my normal weight.
- Digestive problems: ha ha ha ha.... This sound funny cos I remembered a time during the lockdown that I suffered from constipation cos I finished several loaves of bread (I've lost count). Couldn't use the rest room for two days. The medics had to visit my home for an emergency.
- Embarrassment: it was an embarrassing moment for me when the medics came to my house just because I couldn't pass out stool and very more embarrassing having to tell them the number of loaves of bread I consumed that resulted to that.
- Risk of developing other forms of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension: weight gain from stress eating if not properly managed can result to obesity which places one at the risk of either having diabetes or developing a high blood pressure.
Have you ever feel the need of stress eating? Share your experience.
Yes, I've several times felt the need of stress eating as I've indulged myself in several stress eating of which I feel ashamed of myself each time I flash back at those moments.
I've mentioned a few above that was a result of boredom caused by the Covid19 lockdown. I sometimes indulge in stress eating when I'm angry. I wouldn't know when I keep eating and eating without control. I eat just to see that I take my mind off what made me angry but the anger is always there and me, I'm always there eating subconsciously.
Stress eating isn't a healthy habit and should always try the best we can in managing this form of eating. We should be able to manage our emotions and reach out to friends and families where necessary. We should all imbibe a health eating habit and be mindful of what we eat.
Guys, come tell me what's you idea on stress eating. @vickyson @owalama @ibrahim
CC; @goodybest