Stress often causes you to make dumb food choices - remember the tub of Haagen-Dazs you downed while crying over your breakup? HealthAnswers tells you how to stay ahead of your worst enemy.

------------------------------------------ By Yashna Harjani (Dietician)

[eastciti.com, January 13, 2001
>> The Anti-Stress Dietary Do's
>> The Anti-Stress Dietary Don'ts

Ever had the feeling where you have 5 deadlines to meet in the next hour and the thought of food makes you nauseous?

Or have you ever had to reach for the chips for comfort because you know you have 5 deadlines you can't meet?

Blame it all on stress. It can either work as a suppressant to prevent you from eating, or send you on a binge visit to the refrigerator.

In the first case, it can deprive you of essential nutrients at a time when you need it the most. In the second case, it makes you fat.

In fact, new research is hinting that the fat you gain when stressed, is mainly abdominal fat, which has been linked to increased risk of many diseases.

Stress is a part and parcel of your life. Learn to manage it. Dietary changes, exercise and lifestyle changes can help you manage it.

Recently, researchers have discovered that dietary changes not only help curb the appetite and provide adequate nourishment, but also help control stress hormones that cause havoc in the body.

So, if you are under stress, do give your diet a closer look. Outlined below, are some dietary Do's (link to new section) and Don'ts (link to new section) to help you revamp and modify your eating habits to manage stress effectively:

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