DIET | DETECTIVE^®

Emotional stress can have a significant impact on diet and nutrition because the comfort foods people often turn to in these times are typically high in fat and calories. When tension and anxiety are high in one aspect of life, it's not unusual for other areas to seem trivial or less important. This shift in priorities can lead to a breakdown in behaviors that may normally be under control, such as the diet

The reasons people turn to food are both psychological and biological. Certain foods provide comfort because they are associated with a time in the past that was nurturing or loving-food is a symbol of care giving. The other reason is that some carbohydrates cause brain chemicals, such as endorphins and serotonin to be released, producing a calming effect. As an alternative, try physical activity to release these same endorphins while also reducing stress levels in the long- and short-term, rather than the quick fix that carbohydrate consumption provides. Finally, a balanced diet (including healthier comfort foods!) and regular physical activity can help bolster your immune system, which may be weakened by the high levels of stress. We've compiled a list of low-cal versions of your favorite comfort foods that you can enjoy while still maintaining control of your health and body.

Instead of traditional comfort foods, try low calorie/fat comfort foods, and you'll save calories and fat.

1. Instead of brownies (2 oz. - 227 cal / 9 fat grams), try fat-free chocolate pudding (1/2 cup - 130 cal / 0 fat grams), and you'll save 97 cal / 9 fat grams.

2. Instead of hot chocolate w/whole milk & whipped cream (1 cup - 280 cal / 15 fat grams), try hot chocolate w/skim milk (1 cup - 150 cal / 1 fat gram), and you'll save 130 cal / 14 fat grams.

3. Instead of apple pie (1/6 of 8" pie - 350 cal / 14 fat grams), try baked apple (1 apple - 100 cal / 0 fat grams), and you'll save 250 cal / 14 fat grams.

4. Instead of an oatmeal raisin cookie( 2 oz has 220 cal / 8 fat grams), try a bowl of oatmeal w/ raisins (1.5 oz has 160 cal / 2 fat grams), and you'll save 60 cal / 6 fat grams.

5. Instead of mashed potatoes w/ butter & whole milk (1 cup - 320 cal / 16 fat grams), try mashed potatoes w/low-fat margarine & fat-free buttermilk (1 cup - 240 cal / 8 fat grams), and you'll save 80 cal / 8 fat grams.

6. Instead of spaghetti & meatballs ( 3 cups - 770 cal / 21 fat grams), try spaghetti & turkey meatballs ( 3 cups - 630 cal / 4 fat grams), and you'll save 140 cal / 7 fat grams.

7. Chicken soup no revisions necessary! Enjoy!

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