Stress and Diet

High levels of stress, such as those associated with family, work or money problems can also cause chemical imbalances in your body. Cortisol typically produced by the adrenal glands when you are under pressure, tells your body to produce more NPY and may indirectly slow your metabolic rate way down. Stress also produces increased levels of galanin. As a result, you develop a craving for carbohydrates and fats.

To satisfy the powerful urge, you may indulge in high fat, high sugar foods, such as ice cream and chocolate chip cookies which trigger the production of serotonin and may stimulate opiate receptors. Serotonin has a drug like, sedating, antidepressant effect on most people. As a result, eating actually may reduce stress. One of the biggest obstacles to weight control is that many people in high stress situations effectively use food to medicate themselves.