Whether you have been in quarantine due to suspected Covid-19 infection or y0u decided to self-quarantine at your home, the chances of gaining weight is very high. It is due to inactivity, which is obvious as you have to remain within a defined area. Another major reason of gaining weight during lockdown and quarantine period is eating comfort food as and when you feel like.
What is Comfort food?
As the name clearly suggests, comfort food it a kind of food that you get easily or comfortably and is full of high calorie, high fat, high salt or sugar content to give you a kind of pleasure, relaxation and emotional elevation. As per Wiki, adults eat comfort food when they are under emotional stress. This type of food gives them instant gratification and reminds them of the security of childhood, provided by their parents.
A Key Contributor to Obesity In the US
As a major chunk of US population lives under various types of stress throughout the day, consumption of comfort food is very high. This is one of the major reasons of obesity, which is almost like an epidemic in the US. Similarly, during quarantine, people feel stressed due to fear of Coronavirus, whether they are infected or not. This triggers the temptation of eating comfort food for some gratification, which is achieved, but makes the person put on weight.
Quarantine 15
As per a Washington Post report, during quarantine, 37% of people gained more than a pound, while the average weight gain during quarantine month remained 0.21 pound. The report further confirms that similar trends were seen in other parts of the world as well. For example, the average weight gain in the United Kingdom was reported as 0.35 pounds, in China 0.55 pounds and in France, it was reported as 0.19 pounds.
Stress Eating?-Stop Now
Definition of stress-eating is self-explanatory. When you start eating due to any kind of stress, you are stress eating, as simple as that. However, its impact is not that simple. If the stress is persistent, then a hormone, Cortisol is released by your body. Cortisol increases your appetite, and you start overeating every now and then. The result; weight gain. Read details here . The sooner you stop overeating due to stress triggered by quarantine or any other reason, the better. Want to lower your stress during lockdown? Read what to do during lockdown.
How to stop stress eating during qurantine
Well, there are various triggers of emotional eating. However, during lockdowns, the most power trigger for stress eating is boredom. As those under quarantine have nothing to do, they start eating or overeating for some sense of gratification. The most effective way to overcome stress eating is to get busy with something you enjoy such as pursuing a hobby. Of course, there are limitation during quarantine, but you can explore many possibilities to do something creative or worthwhile during Covid-19 times.
Healthy Comfort Food
The least and probably the most important thing you can do during quarantine or lockdown is eat healthy comfort food. If you feel that comfort food cannot be healthy, then think again and take a look at 29 healthy comfort food recipes. You an also try Paleo Comfort food recipe given below.
Eating Habit Changer App
Making good use of apps for health or for changing eating habits, is highly recommended during lockdowns. Why not try Noom App that gives you a variety of healthy eating options. By using this app recommended food items you can change your eating habits for good.
Noom- The Last Weight Loss Program You’ll Ever Need
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