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Which one is better? Eat to live or live to eat?
Answers
Explanation:
Throughout life, different circumstances will affect our ability to eat well. One of the first things we notice about grieving is that it affects our relationship with food. And since we all grieve differently, there is no one-size-fits-all grief response to eating. The only constant is that like so many other areas of our lives, it changed quickly and drastically when we received that knock on the door. We may lose our desire to eat entirely, or seek comfort from food and eat more than ever. Whatever the case may be, the grieving process provokes a stress response in the body that can put our health at risk.
Eating a variety of foods is essential to life. In other words, we need to eat to live. Our bodies cannot manufacture all the substances we need and therefore we must consume foods to produce energy and to provide the building blocks necessary to sustain life. Eating foods with a range of nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats provide our bodies with the materials needed to keep our systems functioning well.
We all know this, but our response to grief may make it difficult to eat or easy to overeat, difficult to plan meals or too focused on tasks like cooking. Often we choose foods that have little or no nutritional value, perhaps for comfort, or simply because they are available. During times of stress, it is helpful to adopt a routine pattern for meals, exercise, and sleep. Eating consistently will affect mood, energy level, and how clearly we think.
Here are some things to consider as you navigate your own individual grief journey.
Choosing foods that can improve your mood
Some foods have a physiological response in the body and may improve your mood. Carbohydrates serve as the main source of energy for your body and the preferred fuel for your brain. Eating foods containing carbohydrates may improve your energy level and increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter shown to boost mood and improve sleep. However, not all carbohydrates are created equal and thus it is preferable to choose whole foods rather than refined or highly processed carbohydrates. The carbohydrates in whole foods are absorbed slowly, causing a gradual increase in serotonin levels, and promoting a stable blood sugar level. Whole foods that supply carbohydrates include fruits, starchy vegetables, whole wheat, whole oats, popcorn, beans, and brown rice.
Limiting or avoiding foods that may depress your mood
You may be familiar with the expressions “drowning your sorrows” or “drinking to forget” as they relate to using alcoholic beverages to cope with stressful situations. Although it may initially feel like a stimulant and mood enhancer, alcohol is a depressant and may substantially decrease the body’s ability to extract nutrients from the food you eat, and make you feel worse the next day. Consider limiting or avoiding consumption of alcoholic beverages. If you are using alcohol as a sleep aid, think about speaking with your doctor about safer alternatives.
Eating too little
For some people a decrease in intake over a few days may not present any serious problems, but if your intake has decreased significantly and lasts more than a week, you may be at nutritional risk. In addition to the emotional stress response to grief, the decreased intake will invoke a stress response in your body that can negatively impact your health. After a few days of not eating enough, you will likely notice a decrease in your energy level and ability to think clearly, increased irritability, and possibly dehydration. If your intake remains inadequate over a longer period time it may weaken your immune system, increase your risk for several chronic diseases, and result in unplanned weight loss.
Over time, eating too little will result in unplanned weight loss. To promote weight maintenance, consume foods that are rich in calories and nutrients. Small quantities of these foods contain concentrated amounts of both calories and nutritious substances, so eating a little goes a long way. Choosing these foods can be helpful when you do not have much of an appetite. Some calorie and nutrient rich foods include commercial liquid meal replacement shakes (e.g. Instant Breakfast, Ensure), peanut butter, cheese, and using whole milk instead of water for preparation of soups, puddings, or smoothies.
Eating too much
You may have discovered that you could not eat in the immediate aftermath of the death, but that with time you are reaching early and often for comfort foods to take your mind off your sadness or loss. If you are gaining weight because of the grieving process, try to identify activities other than eating that can bring comfort, like listening to music, taking a walk, or writing in a journal.
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Answer:
EATING TO LIVE OR LIVING TO EAT?
“How can I eat at a time like this?”
“It all just tastes like cardboard…”
“I still don’t have the energy to even plan a meal, let alone cook it.”
Throughout life, different circumstances will affect our ability to eat well. One of the first things we notice about grieving is that it affects our relationship with food. And since we all grieve differently, there is no one-size-fits-all grief response to eating. The only constant is that like so many other areas of our lives, it changed quickly and drastically when we received that knock on the door. We may lose our desire to eat entirely, or seek comfort from food and eat more than ever. Whatever the case may be, the grieving process provokes a stress response in the body that can put our health at risk.
Eating a variety of foods is essential to life. In other words, we need to eat to live. Our bodies cannot manufacture all the substances we need and therefore we must consume foods to produce energy and to provide the building blocks necessary to sustain life. Eating foods with a range of nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats provide our bodies with the materials needed to keep our systems functioning well.