How To Stop Feeding Your Stress

Feed The Beast: You know the feeling: you’re hard at work with a deadline hanging over your head. Then, almost without thinking, you end up in the kitchen or at the vending machine. In these situations, it can feel easiest to grab whatever’s in a wrapper or package. It’s probably no surprise, then, that a new study from India concluded that those who regularly ate more ultra-processed foods reported higher stress than those who ate fewer.

How to Avoid : We could all benefit from keeping easy and nourishing snacks within reach. So keep grab-and-go options like nuts, fruit, or yogurt visible so they’re just as convenient as packaged snacks. And if you’re reaching for food out of overwhelm rather than hunger, a short walk or a few slow, deep breaths could be more beneficial.

The Benefits: Prioritizing healthy snacks (especially those that pair protein with fiber) will help you feel fuller longer and provide steadier energy, so you’re less likely to hit a wall later. And the next time a nourishing option isn’t within easy reach, you won’t be relying on willpower alone to resist it.