COMFORT EATING
In a cruel double whammy, the stress hormone cortisol slows your ability to burn calories – and also drives you to seek out fattening “fast fix” foods! For primitive man, fleeing a predator, the sustenance of carbs was essential. We’ve evolved, yet our brains still recognise stress as a danger sign – even when it’s caused by worries about family or finances that we can’t run away from.
“As well as craving carbs when you’re stressed, you’re also less likely to plan your meals and more likely to eat erratically,” says Dr Lee. “Along with a general lack of energy and the reluctance to exercise, which also come with stress, it’s easy to see how the pounds pile on.”