Three Worst Breakfast Options That Increase Cortisol Levels

When it comes to weight gain, many factors, including stress hormones like cortisol, can contribute.

The adrenal glands produce cortisol, which helps control energy levels and metabolism. However, high cortisol levels can lead to excessive fat storage, especially around the waist. It is even more pronounced when they are caused by bad eating habits.

What we eat for breakfast can significantly affect how we feel and look. Blood sugar spikes often occur after consuming “empty calories” from morning foods such as pastries, sweet cereals, and refined carbohydrates.

As a result, the body releases more cortisol in an attempt to stabilize blood glucose levels, which can lead to weight gain.

Dietitian Catherine Gervasio warns of three breakfast options that can increase cortisol levels and contribute to weight gain.

Croissants

Croissants are many people’s favorite pastry, but their high content of refined flour, sugar, and bad fats can raise cortisol levels and lead to weight gain.

After consumption, these ingredients rapidly raise blood sugar levels, and the body releases insulin to control this rapid rise.

“They are high in refined sugars and fats, which can cause changes in blood glucose levels. These changes create stress in the body, causing the adrenal glands to release more cortisol. Increased cortisol slows down metabolism and increases cravings for sweet and fatty foods. which can lead to overeating and weight gain,” Gervasio explains to SheFinds.

White Bread With Jam

Both white bread and jam are high in refined sugars and carbohydrates, which quickly raise blood sugar levels after a meal. The body responds by releasing insulin to lower blood sugar levels. However, that sugar spike is often followed by a sharp drop, which triggers the release of cortisol in an attempt to stabilize energy.

Gervasio points out: “White bread has a high glycemic index, which leads to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. The combination of refined carbohydrates and jam sugar creates stress on the body, causing increased production of cortisol. The insulin response to this amount of sugar promotes fat storage and increases cortisol, which can increase fat accumulation, especially in the abdominal area.”

Replace white bread with whole grain bread and jam with peanut butter or jam with a sweetener like stevia.

Sweet Cereals

Although cereal is often advertised as a healthy choice, many of the commercial brands we love are high in sugar and preservatives.

“Like other refined carbohydrates, sweet grains stimulate the release of insulin. “Frequent spikes in blood sugar promote fat storage, especially around the abdomen, because of cortisol’s role in directing fat to this area,” concludes Gervasio.