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Diets to Reduce Stress |
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A Low Glycemic Diet may improve you health and increase your ability to handle stress
Alternative approaches to nutrition vary widely. Some alternative diets have been developed as a means to maintain health and lose weight. Others have been suggested as therapies for specific illnesses, such as cancer and heart disease. Most programs emphasize dietary changes plus routine exercise and learning techniques to reduce stress. For people needing to reduce stress, most nutritional counselors will recommend a Low Glycemic Diet. This way of eating provides carbohydrates that come from quality fruits, vegetables and grains. The glycemic index has to do with how fast the particular foods you eat are turned into sugar. So the diet focuses on foods that are lower on the glycemic index so that your blood sugar stays more stable. When you are trying to reduce your stress you need to pay careful attention to your endocrine system. Insulin and cortisol (which is the hormone produced by the adrenals) both play an important part in helping you to lose weight. So maintaining an even level of blood sugar is an important component in fighting the effects of chronic stress and your ability to lose weight. When the Adrenal glands become sluggish your body craves sugar and carbohydrates for the instant rush of energy they provide. However this form of stimulous can be damaging, not only to your adrenal glands but to your entire body. Including your waistline. When the adrenal glands over a period of time are "overfunctioning" they soon start to grow tired producing too little cortisol. When this happens you can drink ice water and gain weight. So the low glycemic diet is extremely important for those wishing to improve the functionality of their adrenal glands and lose weight. If you are fighting the symptoms of chronic stress it is not recommended that you cut too many calories or go vegetarian, instead focus on the quality and quantity of what you eat. The goal is to try and balance you insulin levels by the way you eat and make sure that you get plenty of high quality meat protein. Here are some theories behind some other diets on the market: The Pritikin diet. This diet emphasizes controlling calories and eating whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, and low-fat, low-carbohydrate foods. The Pritikin diet excludes almost all processed grains, animal protein, eggs, and fat. The macrobiotic diet. This vegetarian diet is based on a philosophy that there are forces that must be in harmony for a person to achieve good health. These forces are thought to be reflected in every aspect of life, including food. Brown rice and whole grains are the foundation of the macrobiotic diet, since they are thought to be the most balanced foods. Certain fresh vegetables are encouraged, while foods high in fat are avoided. Orthomolecular medicine. Orthomolecular medicine encompasses several different medical practices, including diet therapy. Orthomolecular diet therapy is based on the idea that the use of naturally occurring substances (such as vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, electrolytes, and fatty acids) can prevent and treat disease. It is thought that diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, schizophrenia, and depression are caused by an imbalance of specific nutrients in the diet. The McDougall plan. This lifestyle plan is based around proper foods, moderate exercise, adequate sunshine, clean air and water, and comfortable surroundings. The McDougall diet is nearly vegan, based solely on grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans. Meats, eggs, and dairy-based foods are avoided. It is thought that the McDougall diet can reduce a person's risk of developing illnesses such as allergies, heart and kidney disease, osteoporosis, diseases of the stomach and intestine, and cancer. The Ornish program. This diet was developed to reverse heart disease. The Ornish program consists of a low-fat, plant-based (vegetarian) diet, stress management, and exercise. Less than 10% of the calories in this diet come from fat. The diet is high in fiber, does not restrict calories, and does not allow dairy or meat products, oils, or fats. Studies of this diet have demonstrated prevention and reversal of heart disease. Some experts believe that the diet is too high in carbohydrates and that benefits come from stress reduction and social support in the Ornish program rather than from the diet itself. The Zone. The Zone diet stresses that food is more than energy (calories); it also influences body functions, especially the hormone insulin. It attempts to stabilize insulin levels by reducing calories and eating the appropriate balance of proper sources of carbohydrate, protein, and fat. This results in overall better health. Atkins diet. This nutritional program allows eating protein and pure fats but restricts processed and refined carbohydrates. The primary goal of this diet is weight loss. The Fat Flush Diet This diet works to improve the function of the liver and help to balance your bodies hormonal system.
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