| We all have many things to do within the hours of | | | | carbohydrates, fats and proteins. We must have |
| each day. With so many opportunities available, it | | | | good nourishing foods at every meal for the body |
| is hard to not over do it and put more into our | | | | to have the nutrients to perform properly. As we |
| schedules than we can handle. | | | | do, we are able to think and react logically to the |
| Not only are we over scheduled, there are always | | | | pressures and situations that we face. What we |
| many unforeseen situations that come up in life | | | | eat really does make a difference in how we act |
| that we have no control over: loss of | | | | and think! |
| employment, accidents, health problems, loss of a | | | | 2) Take the time to eat and chew your food |
| loved one, daily unplanned events, and more. | | | | properly. Good digestion of foods ultimately begins |
| Because of these situations, we can become | | | | in the mouth as the saliva breaks down the |
| stressed, angry, frustrated, feel rejected and | | | | chemicals in the food in conjunction with the |
| depressed which can lead to health problems such | | | | chewing process. Onto the stomach, the digestion |
| as high blood pressure, heart attacks, headaches, | | | | process works for your body to get the nutrients |
| loss of sleep, indigestion, stroke and more. We will | | | | and energy it needs from the food you eat. Give |
| always have these types of situations - a part of | | | | yourself at least 20-30 minutes to eat a meal, |
| life - but we can learn to avoid stress as we | | | | sitting down and relaxing while your body goes to |
| become aware of what is causing it or fueling it | | | | work and does its job. |
| and by choosing to face the situation instead of | | | | 3) Think and prepare ahead so that, in this fast |
| reacting to it. | | | | pace world, you always have good nourishing |
| Does nutrition and what we eat have anything to | | | | foods to grab in a moment's notice. Easy-to-grab |
| do with stress? | | | | foods are: fresh fruits such as apples, pears, and |
| It actually has a lot to do with it in the way it is | | | | bananas (which all come "pre-packaged"), raw |
| handled and managed. When we get so involved in | | | | nuts (you can carry these in a baggie in purse and |
| life's activities, we often times forget about eating | | | | car), fruit leather, dried fruit and raw nut mixes, |
| well. In fact, we usually tend to grab high-calorie, | | | | whole grain rolls and crackers, whole grain health |
| high fat, empty-nutrition foods, turn to sweets or | | | | bars, etc. Of course, you will find many of these |
| caffeinated beverages, or even forget to eat at | | | | in low and high quality brands, so read labels and |
| all. This actually creates more stress on the body | | | | choose those minimally processed. There is a lot |
| because we are lacking the vital nutrients to | | | | you can grab on the run that has good high |
| function properly and our blood sugar levels | | | | quality nutrition. Take the time initially to plan, |
| fluctuate. Thus, we become depressed, lethargic, | | | | purchase and prepare. |
| lack energy and concentration, and even | | | | 4) What we drink is just as important. Drinks such |
| experience mood swings. | | | | as alcohol, sodas, coffee, hot chocolate, and most |
| Why do we have a tendency to crave the | | | | fruit juices (frozen, bottled) are dehydrators and |
| empty-nutrition foods while under stress? Our | | | | de-energizers. What we really need is good pure |
| brain has a way of needing balance and while | | | | water! Every function in the body greatly relies on |
| under pressure it makes us do something that will | | | | water. Lack of water causes us to become |
| release neurotransmitters that will cause us to | | | | dehydrated, which restricts the activity of all |
| relax. Usually the quickest and easiest way to | | | | these functions. Our best body's performance |
| achieve this is by indulging on pleasure foods: | | | | comes from having a clean system. Good, pure, |
| candy, pastries, sodas, fried foods, etc. The | | | | distilled water is our best cleanser, therefore |
| smells, taste and textures actually excite the | | | | cleansing and energizing to the system. |
| chemicals within the brain that will give us this | | | | 5) Set aside time each day to exercise. Exercise |
| short-term satisfaction. With this instantaneous | | | | is the absolute best medicinal cure for those |
| gratification, we continue to do it over and over | | | | times that you start to feel stressed or avoiding |
| again. | | | | it altogether. It is necessary for the body |
| However, we must keep in mind that in order for | | | | functions to work optimally, and within 20-40 |
| the body to function properly (physically, mentally, | | | | minutes, exercise can easily correct stressful |
| and emotionally), it must be properly fueled. Just | | | | situations. |
| as an automobile must have good fuel to perform | | | | 6) Turn on peaceful music to soothe, calm and |
| properly, so must our bodies. Our fuel for high | | | | relax you. We all need times of relaxation |
| energy and performance comes in the way of | | | | throughout the day. Also take time to meditate |
| nutrients from good quality foods. If we have | | | | and focus on worthy goals, your blessings, and |
| diets of highly processed foods (white flour, white | | | | the peaceful things of life. Watching the flowers |
| sugar, high fats and salt) with little nutrient value, | | | | and grass sway in the breeze is so relaxing to the |
| then the body cannot function to its capacity, | | | | soul (so much more than television). These |
| becomes stressed, over loaded, and it becomes | | | | exercises help put life into the perspective of |
| sick and diseased. | | | | what's really important and help avoid unworthy |
| If we will include the following suggestions in our | | | | thoughts and feelings. |
| daily eating and drinking habits, we will be much | | | | We cannot just simply eliminate all the pressures |
| more capable of handling stressful situations. | | | | of life. Yet we can learn to manage and eliminate |
| 1) Think of the foods God gives us in their whole | | | | the effects of stressful situations by applying |
| food form: raw fruits and vegetables, raw nuts | | | | principles of good nutrition, eating, and drinking in |
| and seeds, whole grains, legumes (beans and | | | | this manner. Focus on the real whole foods and |
| peas). These all have a higher nutritional content | | | | pure water and you can expect the body's best |
| than processed foods. They are naturally high in | | | | performance! |
| fiber and provide the right balance of | | | | |