The Link Between Stress Eating & Poor Sleep
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If you find yourself stress eating, you are not alone. In fact recent surveys have found as many as 46% of people say that they eat too much or too unhealthily due to stress. When we are stressed our body releases a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol stimulates our fat and carbohydrate metabolism, creating a surge of energy in our body. While this process is essential for survival situations, it also increases our appetite.
Stress makes for poor food choices
Stress also seems to affect food preferences. Studies have shown that physical or emotional distress increases the intake of food high in fat, sugar, or both. High cortisol levels, in combination with high insulin levels, may be responsible.
Once ingested, fat and sugary foods seem to have a feedback effect that dampens stress related responses and emotions. These foods really are “comfort” foods in that they seem to counteract stress — and this may contribute to people’s stress-induced craving for those foods.
The connection between stress eating and poor sleep
Often stress eating takes place during periods when we are on our own, or at a lose end, with little to pre-occupy our mind. Many people report binge eating and sweet cravings in the evening before bed. Reaching for sugary snacks before bed will only increase restlessness and reduce sleep quality. Sugary foods, such as ice-cream and sweets, send blood sugar levels spiking at first, which then crash whilst you are asleep. A crash in blood sugar alerts the adrenals that there is an emergency, which, in turn, increases cortisol levels, and wakes the body from slumber.
Following a poor night’s sleep we wake up tired and unrested. Feeling more irritable the cycle continues. Stress ensues and we make poor food choices, which harm our prospects of getting a good night’s sleep and yet again we find ourselves craving unhealthy snacks before bed.
How to curb your stress eating
1. Practice mindful eating. Know that your craving may be a result of a stressful event, and then ask yourself, are you truly hungry? Wait a few minutes before eating.
2. Watch portion size. Instead of taking the whole box with you, put a snack-size amount on a plate. Check the package to see what one serving size is, and try to stick to that.
3. Find healthier options. If you still feel the need for a snack, consider a lower-calorie, lower-fat option than what you may have previously chosen.
The Calm Bar by Ten PM was created as a healthy alternative to late night snacking. Packaged in individual portions each oat and cherry bar is enough to satisfy late night sweet cravings. Containing no added sugar and ingredients designed to help calm the body and mind including Ashwagandha, chamomile, magnesium and vitamin B6. Each ingredient plays its part in destressing the body. Whilst the oats and cherries contain natural melatonin (the sleep hormone). The Calm Bar is the perfect swap for those that find themselves stress eating but want to find a healthier and beneficial alternative to evening binges on chocolates, biscuits and crisps.
Goodbye Stress, Hello Calm – Relax With Every Bite
Using adaptogens, vitamins & minerals, clinically proven to lower stress levels and calm the nervous system.
Containing Ashwagandha, which people have used for thousands of years to relieve stress and anxiety.
– Sleep Better Naturally
Stress is the leading factor of poor sleep. Reduce stress, sleep better and be a happier, healthier version of you.
– Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, In A Healthy Way
No more stress eating or late night unhealthy snacking. Our bars have no added sugar and are high in fibre (10g per bar!).
What makes the Oat & Cherry bars unique?
Contain ashwagandha (the only snack based product on the market with this amazing adaptogen – all others are in powder, capsule or gummy format).
Also contains magnesium, chamomile, tart cherry powder, vitamin c and vitamin b6 – all of which help to relax the body and mind and improve sleep quality
The perfect late night snack to form part of your calming evening routine. No added sugars, High in fibre, Gluten free, Vegan friendly, Low in calories
