The Nerve! Emotional Eating

One thing I know about myself is that I am an emotional eater. I gravitate towards snacking on sweet and salty things when I am stressed or anxious. And I have been struggling with with weight loss even more so due to present issues. I lose some and I gain it back hovering over a certain number. The only reason I believe I haven’t went beyond that number is because I exercise regularly and I eat healthy meals daily. I also go weeks on a good run of eating well, exercising, and managing my snack habits and binge habits. But then are times when it all goes to hell in a handbasket. Especially, when things are incredibly overwhelming. And that has been quite a bit.

I am going to post this number today as accountability. I got the results back for my A1C and I thought it would be lower. It is not. It was 9.4! I remember when I got it down to 6.4. So, I know it is possible. I know what to do. My weight decreased but my A1C increased. Let me be even more honest; I sometimes forget to take my medication and vitamins. I go weeks without an insulin shot. Why? Because I am constantly being called to care and to do for others. The next I know my day has ended and it’s not until I go to bed I remember I didn’t take my injection or the next day I see meds in the pill box. I even have a timer set but, I will say, “I’ll do it in a minute. I will get to it. Well,I will take it tomorrow.”

In order for nerves to send electrical impulses, they need certain minerals, proteins and vitamins. Fortunately, the foods that contain these nutrients are delicious. These nutrients include:

• Dark chocolate, which is rich in tryptophan, an amino acid that acts as a neurotransmitter — a substance that transfers a signal from one nerve ending to another.
• Calcium and potassium — These minerals regulate the electrical impulses generated and transmitted by the nerves. If nerves are left to fire off impulses unchecked, a person may suffer from epilepsy or other diseases of the nerves.
• Bananas, oranges, pomegranates and prunes, which are good sources of potassium, while milk, leafy greens and eggs are rich sources of calcium.
• Vitamin B — Vitamins B1, B2 and B6 help the nerves to send impulses from the brain to the body.

Protect the nerves with B vitamins

Each nerve has a protective coating known as a myelin sheath. Much like the sheath of an electric cable, it acts as insulation for the transmitting nerve. Worn out myelin sheaths have been associated with illnesses like Alzheimer’s, so it is important for a person to keep up their intake of B12.

The vitamin is found in beef, poultry, eggs and seafood.

Folate is a B vitamin that protects the nerves from chemicals that can cause damage. This vitamin is found in spinach, pomegranates and beets.

-Brain and Spinal Neuroscience Institute

Today I took my injection. I have taken my meds. I have eaten a healthy breakfast per usual. So, we have learned today that one way to heal and to have a healthy nervous system is to eat well (eat wellness as I say). I have planned my meals for the rest of the week. And I have recommitted to waling 10-15 minutes after dinner no matter if I exercised already that day. I am not going to beat myself up. I know the first thing that goes out the window for a caregiver is their own health.

~Nikki