5 Healthy Foods that Lower Cortisol Levels & [Keep the Stress Weight Off!]

High cortisol levels can hinder your weight loss efforts. you in Cortisol is a hormone that is released when our body’s “fight or flight” stress response is initiated. It helped spur our ancestors into action and helped give them a better chance at surviving intense, yet temporary stressful situations. As we’ve evolved over time, so have our stressors, unfortunately. Prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol levels can have an adverse effect on us both mentally and physically. One issue that can be particularly frustrating is the effect prolonged, elevated cortisol levels have on weight and fat distribution—causing your midsection to expand over time. In addition, it can be a drain on your body’s resources. While addressing the situation at hand, it zaps your body of its ability to accomplish other tasks effectively—essentially becoming Robin Hood. Mild cognitive decline, depression, poor immune function, and an unhealthy amount of abdominal fat storage are some of the major symptoms that can arise from prolonged stress and elevated cortisol levels which can rob you of your peace of mind and positive body image, therefore spiraling you into a vicious cycle. Here are five eating tips to help lower cortisol levels and keep the fat off.