Stress Eater?

Why do some people snack when stressed?

The hormone that is triggered by stress is cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that has a function of regulating blood sugar to a certain degree. 

If a person has low blood sugar, cortisol is released and helps the body turn protein, fat, or ketones into sugar. This is called gluconeogenesis (Sugar – new – making something or making new sugar)). The body is making sugar out of non-carbohydrate sources. This happens in the liver.

Stress raises cortisol. Cortisol releases sugar, and there is a spike in blood sugar. Insulin kicks in and pushes the blood sugar down (hypoglycemia), causing low blood sugar. Now, the person will get hungry, crave carbs, and snack. When they snack, they’ll raise the blood sugar, and the whole cycle will start over. 

Two things that can trigger cortisol: