Turning to comfort foods to relieve stress could ultimately lead to poor health. The Health Resource network has designated April as Stress Awareness month. In recognition of the campaign, here are tips to relieve stress.

•Don’t fill up on caffeine. When having a bad day at work or dealing with a stressful situation, some people tend to drink more coffee than usual. Not only can this make a person jittery, coffee is a diuretic and can lead to dehydration.

•Do drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Eat fruits such as watermelon and grapes, which hold a lot of water.

•Don’t think fast food is the answer. Although a burger from a favorite fast-food restaurant may seem to relieve stress, the relief it brings is only temporary. Don’t make impulse decisions on high-calorie foods when facing stressful situations.

•Do eat healthy. Fill up with good sources of protein and nutrients such as lean meats, vegetables and fruits. Consider taking nutritional supplements.

•Don’t skip out on meals. Many people lose their appetite or forget to eat when they are dealing with a challenging situation. That can leave their bodies starving for nutrients needed for energy.

•Do concentrate on portion control. Eat three portion-sized meals throughout the day and snack on things like whole-grain crackers, low-fat cheese and yogurt.

According to MealsMatter.org, when people feel threatened or under attack, brain chemicals and adrenal hormones, which enable people to think quickly or to run away from a threat, are released into the bloodstream. This is the primitive fight-or-flight response. Poor eating habits brought on by the “flight” of stress can lead to unwanted weight gain and poor health in the long term.

This article is provided by Reliv International.