Nutrition Tips for Dealing with Loss or Emotional Stress for You or Your Support System
A nutrition topic none of us want to discuss, but is an inevitable part of life. When we experience a loss, an extreme emotionally stressful scenario, or are the support system for someone in this scenario, nutrition is an important aspect in these situations. We tend to go one of two ways #1 overeating comfort foods or #2 not eating.
Both of these behaviors lead us to feel physically worse and leave us less capable of processing our emotional stress or loss as well as less capable of completing the logistic tasks that need to be accomplished.
If you are a support system of one of these individuals and lovingly providing meals, while you may want to provide a classic comfort food dish, consider preparing a hearty soup, a chicken, rice, and veggie casserole with a flavor, but not heavy sauce (eg a tomato based sauce), or providing an Instacart or uber eats gift card.
If you are responsible for your own food while going through a grieving process, buying some easy to prepare options such as pre- shredded chicken, microwaveable rice or quinoa packets, boiled eggs, salad packets, and frozen veggies; guiding your supporters with suggestions of food that feels good to your body or if ordering food in using build your own bowl or similar options primarily.
Check out the full video for some ideas of easy food options as a person who is grieving or experiencing emotional stress or ideas if you are providing food as a support system or in a meal train.
Please DM me with any questions you may have or to schedule your individual nutrition appointment.
Wishing you all the best in health and wellness!
-Ricci-Lee Hotz, MS, RDN, LD
A Taste of Health, LLC
“The Dancesport Dietitian”
“Improving Quality of Life One Bite at A Time”