stress and chocolates

[carrie11]

I've just noticed how my appetite increases whenever I'm all stressed out. Which makes me wonder if chocolates really help me feel a bit better, i know that it does sound strange but I whenever I'm so stressed I always look for chocolates then after a while i feel much better. how about you, how do you manage stress?

[swanso5]

i just don't let myself get stressed, ecspecially when it's something i can't change...no point worrying about it then

i'd rather lay on the couch and watch some friends re runs

[Boss Man]

Watching friends would stress me out big time. Ugghh.

I don't often get stressed. occasional moments give me a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach, like one of those I wish that hadn't happened moments, but generally, I try not to let life get to me.

Chocolate won't make you feel better, unless you think it does. Whilst it's not a problem food in modest amounts, the Theobromine is a Methylxanthine, and can have similar addictive / withdrawal symptoms to Caffeine.

[SarahPT]

Many women (and some men) will tell you that chocolate seems to ease their stress. It's tempting, but there are other ways. Think about other things that you like to do. Is there a nice spot where you like to walk? Hot baths? Asking someone to rub your back? Looking at your favorite website? When your stressed out and tempted to have chocolates or something else unhealthy make it a priority to do something else that can ease your stress.

Also, if you do give in and have some chocolates, don't let yourself feel guilty. No one is perfect.

[Boss Man]

Good point. We as humans moan sometimes about things, and have our little gripes and whatnot, but if the world was perfect, humans would be very bored, and probably start wondering if evolution was all it was cracked up to be.

I say perfection could be the unobtainable want, but the unbearable reality.

Things like TV, Films, surfing, music etc etc, and sometimes being a goofball, get me through life to some extent. All candidates for stress relief in my book.

[carrie11]

well yeah it's probably all in the mind, but either way it still helps me overcome stress.

[sclason]

I have this problem with needing to feed my addiction of chocolate and I don't have enough self control to stop

[JNicole2009]

I think too often we, as women especially, relate emotional times to chocolate/sweets. Valentine's Day = chocolates; anniversaries = chocolate; weddings = sweets; break ups = pint of ice cream. We see it in movies all of the time where the girls go out for ice cream or drinks or lay on the couch devouring a whole pack of cookies after a break up or fight. It has been ingrained in our minds that sweets will help anyone overcome any pains. what if there was a way you could rewrite this script? Tell yourself that something more "clean" and healthy would release the same endorphins that the sweets do that can trigger the seretonin in your brain to be released. Instead of grabbing cookies, go for something like warm chicken breast and steamed broccoli. With me, having something warm on my stomach satisfies me faster than empty calories and the warmth = comfort for me. Though emotional eating should be managed and recognized, if you feel like you are are going to eat, make it healthy and remember that extra sweets = extra depression in the morning when you wake up and see the damage you have done!

[Boopster]

What if there was a way you could rewrite this script? Tell yourself that something more "clean" and healthy would release the same endorphins that the sweets do that can trigger the seretonin in your brain to be released. Instead of grabbing cookies, go for something like warm chicken breast and steamed broccoli. With me, having something warm on my stomach satisfies me faster than empty calories and the warmth = comfort for me. Though emotional eating should be managed and recognized, if you feel like you are are going to eat, make it healthy and remember that extra sweets = extra depression in the morning when you wake up and see the damage you have done!

ROFLMAO....sorry Nicole but when you get top be my age with a teenager on the brink of driving and girls calling your house 24/7 and your ten year old daughter asking sex questions.....I grab a big ol' Hershey bar and devour it. Chicken ain't cutting it and broccoli can take a back seat. We are human, we all get stressed. Everything in moderation. And no I never waked up depressed in the morning...it's just life

[littleshelly]

I love chocolate. Especially brownies and chocolate cake. I don't eat it because I am stressed. I eat it because it tastes good. There are health benefits to dark chocolate. http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20030827 ... -chocolate and there are actual reasons why it makes you feel good. http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/indepth.food/ ... index.html

[Boss Man]

Another issue with Chocolate is the Theobromine content.

Being a Methylxanthine like Caffeine, the Theobromine Xanthines get converted by Xanthine Hydrogenase enzyme, to Uric Acid, which means long term, Chocolate could be a contributary factor in Gout, (Uric Acid around the Joints).

However it should be noted Uric Acid levels largely depend on other things like Caffine intake, Theophyline intake, and Nitrogen to UC conversion from Protein and Saturates. Not to mention water levels in the body, as UC has no enzymes to break it down, so the water in the body is used to help get rid of it.

[healthguru]

I actually notice that I get cravings whenever I have important meeting or datelines, but my girlfriend gets strong chocolate cravings right before she gets her period, because of this I believe cravings are related to a decrease in our defense system.

[Boss Man]

Good point. Could be true.

I got a shock once when I read the body could crave Water. My response was, but water is Calories free, stimulant free, and has not Sugar or Fat in it, what would cause that?

I don't know if it's a craving for water in general, but if it was Tap water possibly you might get some kind of Flouride withdrawal perhaps.

Other than that possibly a craving for lost minerals not consumed via bottled Water.

[healthguru]

It is not a craving for water, it is actually your body telling you that it is not hydrated enough...are you taking any type of supplements? That may be causing the extreme thirst...

[Boss Man]

Well not a craving as such, but a signal by the body you need more, if you've had more before.

Your body may not respond the same way, if you drink 4 glasses a day all the time, as if you do it one day, when normally you'd have 6-8.

Craving may have been a slightly inadequate word, but you've more or less said it like I was trying to say it .