Meditate Awake

Turning to sugar in moments of stress is something that lots of us do. The pleasurable experience of eating some sweet, delicious treat makes us feel as though we’re taking care of ourselves in a way. It takes our attention and temporarily puts our stress at bay. But studies point out that sugar is not a helpful antidote to those tough moments in the day. Feeling stressed can actually be a trigger for binging on comfort foods which causes a spike — and then a drop — in blood sugar levels. This crash causes irritability, nervousness and anxiety which leads to even more stress. In contrast, lean protein, healthy fats, green vegetables whole grains keep blood sugar and insulin levels steady, which in turn supports steady energy and mood.