Healthy comfort food for stressful times

Human beings want to be happy all the time, and when stress punctures our bubble of happiness, we turn to our favorite comfort foods, with their familiar reasoning. “I deserve this, I work hard,” followed by “I’ll be back to normal tomorrow” and, of course, “I’ll just eat a little.” You’ll work just as hard before you eat those fries as you do after, tomorrow either never comes or you take the scenic route around various parts of your body, and that little bite can somehow make a pint of ice cream disappear! “The only thing that these rationalizations change during stressful times is your weight, self-esteem and the level of guilt that leads to more stress.

Everyone experiences varying degrees of stress, and these days you don’t have to look beyond the television to find more than enough stress to increase your load. The good news is that you don’t have to ban comfort food, you simply need to redefine it and choose the types of comfort food that keep your body functioning efficiently and in optimal health.

First, do your body and wallet a huge favor by cleaning out your junk food cupboards and refrigerator and replacing them with light, healthy snacks and quick and easy light meals. That cookie, bag of chips, or pint of ice cream you hear calling gives you momentary instant gratification, followed by regret, which creates more stress.

Pay attention to what you eat, especially when you’re feeling stressed. Mindless eating puts more pounds on the body than the yo-yo diet. Keep various flavors of low-fat yogurt in your refrigerator and add sliced ​​fruit or nuts before eating. The crunching of fruit and nuts in your mouth is a great substitute for angry thoughts that you might otherwise express in harmful and inappropriate ways. If you need ice cream, choose a low-fat, reduced-calorie variety or frozen yogurt. Placing your treat in a small cup of custard instead of eating from the container controls the portion and satisfies your craving while keeping you guilt-free.

Keep fresh vegetables like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, summer squash, zucchini, and other greens on hand. Cut it into small pieces and place it in your refrigerator next to a container of plain yogurt to which you have added a pinch of garlic, chives, Italian seasoning, and chili powder. Eat these in place of high-fat, high-sodium chips.

Make a salad with a variety of lettuce and your favorite greens and store in the refrigerator for a midday meal or snack with your favorite low-fat, low-calorie dressing.

Soup is a great comfort food and easy to make. Buy low sodium beef or chicken broth, add your favorite veggies, cook until veggies are crisp-tender, and add a green salad for a quick, light, and healthy meal. When the temperature rises and the last thing you want is a hot soup, try a cold and spicy carrot soup. Peel and cut four carrots into chunks and cook until soft in three cups of carrot juice, two tablespoons of honey, and one tablespoon of low-fat margarine. Remove from heat, place in blender or food processor and puree with half a cup of low-fat milk and a teaspoon of ground ginger.

Take advantage of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Summer berries make a great snack and you can eat as much as you want without increasing your stress or your waistline. Sprinkle the berries with cinnamon sugar made with cinnamon sugar substitute. Sit on your terrace or in your garden and enjoy the delicious taste of summer. Stack colorful fresh fruits in bowls and watch the colors, fragrance, and texture lift your spirits and reduce stress.

When stress reaches a level where you can’t think clearly, it’s time to take a break. This may seem easier said than done, but it is vital to your well-being. Take a moment to sit in your favorite chair with a cup of tea and your favorite fruit. Focus on the warmth and taste of the tea, feel the cup in your hand as you breathe in the aroma of the tea, and taste that fruit as if for the first time. Not only are you giving your body a healthy snack, but your stress is also getting a “break.”

Everyone experiences stress on many levels and in many areas of life. When stress sends you on a comfort food search mission, make sure you have tasty and healthy alternatives to junk food.