Whether we like it or not, most North Americans are dealing with stress on a daily basis. We don’t always have as much control over the external stressors in our environment as we’d like, but did you know that some of the common ‘health’ foods we eat on a daily basis can actually cause more stress to our body AND lead to more fatigue and anxiety?
When we endure long periods of stress, our adrenal glands become ‘fatigued’, making it difficult for them to produce stress hormones (most notably cortisol & adrenaline). This can contribute to exhaustion, sleep issues and feelings of overwhelm, if they are not supported nutritionally.
Here are the 5 ‘health’ foods to avoid if you are stressed:
1. Coconut water – This hydration favourite of yogis contains a lot of fructose and potassium which when mixed, can exasperate symptoms of fatigue and dizziness, 30-60mins after consuming.
2. Orange & Grapefruit juice – These seemingly perfect breakfast juices (or the fruit alone) could fatigue you even before leaving for work due to the concentrated sugars and potassium they contain. The pesticides in the rind (most commercial juices grind the entire fruit) could also be another factor that contributes to fatigue, as people with adrenal fatigue are more sensitive to toxins.
3. Fruit with yogurt – The high potassium content in this ‘healthy’ breakfast could also cause you shakiness and fatigue, exasperating the exhaustion you’re already feeling.
4. Breakfast cereals & oatmeal – Whether they’re quick oats, whole grain or organic, these foods tend to be highly refined and do not contain enough protein or fat to balance your blood sugar. This will send you on a blood sugar roller coaster, causing you to crash shortly after you leave the house, making you feel spacey and shaky.
5. Coffee – Although coffee may give you a temporary ‘lift’, it can actually contribute to more fatigue in the long run. The caffeine in coffee doesn’t actually provide energy, but rather chemical stimulation from your body’s struggle to adapt to higher levels of stress hormones, namely adrenaline, in the blood. This places extra stress on your already stressed adrenal glands.
In addition, coffee can also increase anxiety (which can lead to more overwhelm), fatigue (due to its affect on blood sugar) and nutrient depletions (ironically of the vitamins we need to give us energy and deal with stress).
To get the complete list of the Top 10 foods to Avoid when Stressed, sign up for my FREE eBook from my home page: www.carmendunn.com
If you are concerned that your body has been damaged due to stress and are looking to regain your energy, happiness and productivity, contact me for a FREE 30-min consult.