5 Foods And Drinks To Avoid If You Have 'High Cortisol' And Want To Regulate It, According To An Expert
1. Coffee With Creamy Additives
Gerard says that the first item on his list is "coffee, especially if it's not black." He continues: "The milk, the sugar and caffeine combo is a deadly cortisol cocktail. I used to drink four to five cups a day. No wonder I felt wide but tired." Drinking black coffee can boost your resting metabolism, aiding in quicker fat burning. Additionally, it can reduce hunger and curb cravings for calorie-rich foods.
2. Sugary Breakfast Cereal
The health expert says that this common breakfast food is "high in sugar, low in fiber and even lower in nutrients." He notes that "not only does cereal spike your blood sugar, but it also spikes your cortisol." He advises: "have some eggs instead." Sugary cereals in the morning can undermine the benefits of fasting the previous night. They might give you a quick burst of energy, only to leave you feeling drained and lethargic shortly afterward.
3. Artificial Sweeteners
Whether you add these to coffee, tea or other items, "all these chemicals just mess up your gut bacteria balance and also spike your cortisol levels," Gerard warns. He continues: "They also trick your body into craving even more sugar." Rather than loading your coffee up with sugar or inflammatory artificial sweeteners, anyone who wants to add a little bit of sweetness to their cup of joe while still maintaining a healthy diet should opt for low-fat, natural, plant-based options–and monk fruit is among the best choices out there.
4. Deli & Processed Meats
Gerard says that processed deli meats can wreck havoc on your gut health. "Think hot dogs, sausages or anything processed," he says. "They may be convenient, but all the salt, preservatives and additives just increase inflammation, and further spike your cortisol," he warns.
5. Alcohol
Last but not least, Gerard notes that alcohol can "spike" your cortisol levels and lead to other negative effects. "I used to drink five to six shots of whiskey every single day to help myself calm down to deal with stress," he says. He adds: "But once the alcohol wore off, my cortisol levels would just spike higher than they were before, leading to rebound anxiety. Thankfully, I Learned my lesson. I hope this helps."
The Bottom Line
A nutritious diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds, along with other nutrient-rich foods, can help regulate cortisol levels. On the other hand, foods high in added sugars, saturated fats, and refined grains are detrimental to maintaining healthy cortisol levels.