Category: Stress & Appetite
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Why Do I Lose My Appetite When I’m Stressed? (And How to Eat Anyway)
You’re deep in a stressful week. A looming deadline, a difficult conversation, an inbox that never empties. And you suddenly realize you haven’t eaten since morning. Worse, you’re not even hungry. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And there’s nothing wrong with you. Losing your appetite when stressed is one of the most common…
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What Normal Digestion is Supposed to Feel Like (When You’re Not Stressed)
Have you ever sat down to eat a meal while you were stressed, rushed, or overwhelmed? And noticed that food didn’t sit right? Maybe you felt bloated, uncomfortable, or like your body simply wasn’t interested in what you had just eaten. That experience has a very real physiological explanation. And at the center of it…
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Why You’re Either Not Hungry or Can’t Stop Eating When Stressed
Understanding Stress Appetite Changes Without Diet Rules If you’ve ever noticed that stress affects your appetite, you’re not imagining it. Some days, stress makes you feel not hungry at all. You forget to eat, feel nauseous, or food just doesn’t sound appealing. Other days, stress makes you feel like you can’t stop eating, even when…
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What Happens When You Don’t Eat (and Why It Makes Food Feel Harder)
Skipping meals isn’t a willpower issue. It’s a biological survival instinct. Skipping Meals Is More Common Than You Think Most people don’t skip meals on purpose. They’re busy. Meetings run long. Hunger feels inconvenient.Stress dulls appetite. They plan to eat “later.” But even when it’s unintentional, going long stretches without eating affects your body — and…
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How to Stop Feeling Guilty After You Eat
Food guilt isn’t a personality trait. It’s a learned reaction. Under the assumption that there is one right way to do food. The natural response is to guilt ourselves about our food. If you grew up in diet culture, wellness culture, or achievement-focused environments, guilt becomes the default. But this doesn’t have to be your response forever. You can unlearn it. Food guilt is a…
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Why You Feel Out of Control Around Food (and How to Find Balance)
By Suren Chiu, RDN, LDN If you’ve ever thought, “What’s wrong with me? I just can’t control myself around food,”—you’re not alone. So many of my clients come to me feeling frustrated and defeated, convinced they lack willpower. But here’s the truth: feeling out of control around food isn’t about willpower at all. It’s about…
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Practical Tips for Stress-Free Eating on Hectic Days
Written by: Suren Chiu, RDN, LDN You’ve got back-to-back meetings, your phone won’t stop buzzing, and the last thing you want is to waste mental energy wondering if your lunch was “healthy enough.” But for many busy professionals, every food choice feels like a mini negotiation: Should I eat this? Will I regret it? Was…
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Is Your Hectic Schedule Fueling Food Shame? Here’s What to Do
Written by: Suren Chiu, RDN, LDN Picture this: You sprint from meeting to meeting, skip lunch because you’re “too busy,” and then find yourself inhaling takeout at 9 p.m. Later, the guilt kicks in.“I should have eaten healthier. Why do I keep doing this?” If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. A hectic lifestyle often…
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Why Emotional Eating Isn’t Bad
Written by: Suren Chiu, RDN, LDN Have you ever reached for a snack not because your stomach was growling, but because you were stressed, bored, or just needed a little comfort? If so, you’re not alone. That’s called emotional eating, and it’s something many of us do. Here’s the truth: emotional eating isn’t “bad” or…
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Understanding Cortisol: The Stress Hormone Explained
Imagine waking up late for work, missing an important meeting, or acting because an emergency happened. You are probably focused on surviving in that moment. Act fast. Think fast. No time to waste. Imagine a racing heart, tense shoulders, or maybe a late-night snack craving. But what’s behind these reactions? In these moments, our body…