The loss of a loved one is an emotionally traumatizing time. Many of the stressors faced are beyond your control and you may be too tired or detached to handle the few stressors that you can change. One way of doing this is by preplanning meals. Taking in adequate nutrition is even easier if you have a stock of plenty of ready to go components to lessen the burden of creating a meal. Proper nutrition may positively impact the way you can handle your loss both physically and mentally.
Key Takeaways:
- Prepare “emergency” frozen meals in advance so they’re ready to go when you need something healthy fast.
- Use paper plates and plastic utensils if dish-duty seems overwhelming. Eating healthy is more important than reducing your carbon footprint right now.
- Eat real food, not processed food. Stock your fridge with fresh produce, leafy greens, nuts, chicken and other protein sources. Avoid boxes, cans and microwave dinners.
“Surely when you’re grieving, you can put your health on the back burner, right?
No way. Unfortunately, those unhealthy food decisions are doing more than packing on pounds – they’re exacerbating your grief by sapping any energy you still have, releasing heavy amounts of cortisol, the stress hormone that contributes to weight gain, and leading to blood sugar shifts that make you feel worse.”