How to Eat Healthy When Your Job Stresses You Out

It is all too easy to let yourself eat whatever you want when you are feeling stressed. When working long hours, it is tempting to type with one hand while eating pizza with the other. We tend to think, “I’m working extra hard, so I deserve a little wiggle room in my diet.”
What’s worse is that being stressed out has an effect on a physiological level as well. When you become stressed, the level of cortisol in your body rises. That hormonal rise means that your insulin level will rise and your blood sugar level will drop. All this is to say that your body will start craving unhealthy foods.
Of course, dietary consistency is essential for losing weight and staying healthy, no matter what your stress level. So when stress hits hard, you need to work even harder than usual to stay on track with your diet.
Here are our best tips to get a diet that works for you, even when you’re busy at work.
Plan Ahead
It’s really hard to find a stress-resistant diet, especially because stress is hard to plan around. It almost never arrives on schedule. It usually feels as though you always unexpectedly find yourself stuck with a last-minute work emergency. And, it seems like that last-minute work emergency always strikes in the midst of some personal drama, such as when your mother-in-law is in town.
But, every once in a while, we can plan ahead for stress. We can put the big presentation at the end of the month into our calendars and grocery shop accordingly. If you know you’ve got a stressful week coming up, avoid buying any junk food.
Even more important, make sure to pack your lunch every single day. Going out to lunch, ordering in, or eating at the work cafeteria can result in a lot of unnecessarily lost calories. If you think you’re too busy to eat lunch, think again. Skipping meals is hard on your metabolism, and it typically results in weight gain.
Even if you have a habit of getting up as late as possible in the morning, even if you have a limited amount of time before work, prioritize packing your lunch. Take the time on a Sunday afternoon to pack all the lunches you’ll need for the week. Packing your lunch may feel as though you’re back in high school, but it absolutely helps you to stay honest with a diet that works for you.
Focus on Brain Foods Instead
If you’re feeling stressed about work, your body may trick you into craving junk food. Not only will eating junk food while stressed throw a wrench in your diet, but you won’t have the energy you need for the day.
Don’t underestimate the power of brain food. There are particular kinds of food that can assist with mental agility, concentration, and guard against memory loss. Find a diet that works for you both calorie-wise and brain-health-wise by trying out these basic brain fuels:
· Blueberries
· Tomatoes
· Pumpkin Seeds
· Broccoli
· Coconut Oil (great for your diet, and just as good for your skin and haircare routine).
· Nuts
· Eggs
· Asparagus
· Kale
· Spinach
· Avocado
Do Your Homework at Home
Taking work home with you is never fun, but it seems as though it is slightly more bearable if you allow yourself to work at your favorite coffee shop or bakery.
But working at a coffee shop can quickly spiral into unneeded calories. For instance, if you order a chocolate chunk muffin and a Caffè Mocha at Starbucks, then you’re looking at adding an extra 730 calories to your day. Work at home instead — you’ll save yourself money and calories.
But while working at home, make sure to lay off the alcohol. Going at your work with a glass of wine may seem to spice things up, but that glass also has extra and empty calories and lowers your inhibitions against eating junk food, not to mention that drinking a few glasses will most certainly lower the quality of your work.
For more tips on health and how to lose up to 1 pound every day, visit Wausau Weight Loss for a free consultation.
