Cortisol Hormone Imbalance and Weight Loss

High cortisol levels can increase food intake and promote weight gain. Here’s how to handle cortisol hormone imbalance and weight loss.

The Healthy Nest Philosophy

At Healthy Nest’s natural weight loss philosophy centers around finding “your best diet.” The goal is for our clients to lose one to two pounds per week. But, sometimes it doesn’t go according to plan, and weight stubbornly stays in place. Then what do we do? Well, we look to other factors such as stress and hormone imbalances. Sometimes, we find it’s the hormone cortisol that’s the culprit.

Stubborn Weight Loss Because of Hormone Imbalance

Adrenal glands produce cortisol in the body and releases the “stress hormone” when triggered. Cortisol is crucial for survival. It navigates the flight or fight response during acute stress moments.

Chronic stress means chronically elevated cortisol. This can lead to overeating and middle weight gain (think muffin top!). This could be internal body stress like a sprained ankle or external stress like a difficult day at work. Women have a greater reaction to cortisol release, research shows.

Cortisol Imbalance

Nutrition therapy is helpful here because when you have ongoing stress, you’re depleting nutrients that we need for proper body function. Your food choices can help your body balance or exaggerate the imbalance.  Sugar-laden breakfasts, for example, further stress your body, while a protein-rich breakfast helps smooth over stress.

Your food and targeted supplementation will replenish needed nutrients.  Also, you can soothe the stress with calming foods as well as a few important lifestyle changes.

Suspicious that you might have a cortisol imbalance? Try an experiment by subbing out cereal or other sugary breakfast in the AM for a protein-rich smoothie to start your day. That way, your mornings are not internally stressful. It helps!

Recipe: Protein-Rich Smoothie

Creamy Chocolate Shake

Modified from Danielle Walker

This healthy shake tastes a bit like a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup. Yum! Simply blend all of the ingredients together and enjoy.

8 ounces of almond milk
½ cup of crushed ice
1 ripe banana
1 tbsp. honey
½ avocado
2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
2 tbsp. almond butter
2 tbsp. ground hemp
1 tsp. cinnamon to taste

For more ideas on handling cortisol hormone imbalance, reach out to a Healthy Nest nutritionist today. We’re here to help!