Stress impacts every area of our lives, including how we eat, often without us realizing it. In this week’s podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jason Levee, a registered dietitian whose personal journey through weight loss and career shifts gives him a unique perspective. Jason works with busy, high-achieving individuals, helping them rethink their relationship with food and build sustainable, healthy habits. We dove into the ways stress shapes our eating patterns and what we can do to create a healthier connection to food.
Here are three major takeaways from my conversation with Jason that can help us better understand our relationship with food when we’re stressed and how to improve it:
Takeaway 1: Recognize That You Have a Relationship with Food
Jason pointed out that many of us don’t even realize we have a relationship with food. We often see it as a necessity or an afterthought, especially when we’re overwhelmed. Stress can distort this relationship, leading us to skip meals, overeat, or rely on sugary or salty snacks for comfort. He emphasized the importance of education as the first step to improvement.
Understanding how food fuels our bodies and affects our mood is key. For instance, Jason explained that there’s a direct link between what we eat and how we feel shortly afterward. He often starts simple with his clients, encouraging them to reflect on how their food choices influence their energy and focus throughout the day.
Takeaway 2: Start Small: Hydration is a Game-Changer
One of Jason’s favorite starting points with clients is hydration. He shared that many people mistake thirst for hunger, leading to overeating or poor food choices. This is especially common among busy individuals who rely on caffeinated drinks or sugary beverages to power through their day. Jason helps clients take small, manageable steps to improve hydration. For instance, if someone is drinking just 16 ounces of water a day, he suggests increasing it to 24 ounces for a week.
This gradual approach builds confidence and creates noticeable improvements in energy, focus, and even eating habits.
Jason explained how dehydration can disrupt the body’s hunger cues, making it harder to distinguish between true hunger and thirst. By simply drinking more water, clients often find they eat more mindfully and feel less compelled to snack unnecessarily.
Takeaway 3: Tailor Your Habits to Your Goals and Lifestyle
Not everyone’s stress-eating patterns look the same, and Jason stressed the importance of individualized solutions. While some people overeat, others skip meals entirely or rely on quick, processed foods. Jason works closely with clients to identify one or two specific habits they can change without overwhelming themselves.
For instance, if a client struggles with low energy, he might recommend focusing on balanced meals with enough protein and healthy carbs. For someone concerned about their skin, he might focus on antioxidant-rich foods and hydration. The goal is always to find one or two actionable steps that align with the client’s priorities and lifestyle.
Jason’s approach is all about creating sustainable change. He encourages clients to view these small adjustments as building blocks. Over time, these changes lift the baseline of their health, making it easier to maintain progress even during life’s busiest seasons.
Our Relationship with Food When We’re Stressed
Jason’s story is an inspiring reminder that our relationship with food when we’re stressed is deeply personal but also highly adaptable. By understanding how stress affects our eating habits, we can take small, meaningful steps to improve our health and well-being.
In this episode, we explored how education, hydration, and tailored habits can transform your approach to food. Whether you’re a stress-eater, a meal-skipper, or somewhere in between, there’s something here for you to reflect on and apply in your own life.
As Jason wisely said, “It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.” Let’s take that first step today.
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