When there's a crisis in our lives, our usual behavior is disrupted. We may not feel like eating, or we may find ourselves bingeing. In connection with the September terrorist attacks in the USA, Dr. Irene has written a helpful article explaining some of the effects of catastrophic outside events on our eating behavior, and what we should try to do about it...

Tragedy and Food

How can we talk or think about food when we are experiencing a terrible calamity, such as the recent terrorist attacks on New York and Washington? Every time we close our eyes we see the nightmare and wish it wasn't true. The wave of emotion each time reality sets in sickens our stomach. For some of us, this emotion can result in senseless eating or excessive alcohol intake.

Thus, we may not feel like eating, or we may find ourselves bingeing (either on food or alcohol), but we must try to maintain control and put one foot in front of another. Nutrition may seem irrelevant right now, but it's not. We must provide:

• meals to our children and grandchildren so they realize there is some security in this world
• nourishment to those that are wounded, so they will heal
• liquids and meals to the families and loved ones affected until they can function on their own

It might be helpful to understand why you felt sick when you heard bad news and you still might be nauseous. Some people even vomit at such times. It is actually a physiological response to stress.

When you are stressed, "fight or flight" hormones are released. Your body, when it sees these hormones, thinks you have been physically injured. These hormones signal your body to run or fight. To give you strength, all your resources are moved towards the body functions needed to fight, run or heal. This includes releasing the body's natural sugar (glucose) into the blood stream so you have energy. It also includes moving protein out of muscle, so your body has protein to send to areas that may need to heal.

To save resources, functions that are not needed at the moment, such as digestion of food, are shut down. Thus, the rhythmic action that normally is propelling food down your intestinal track is slowed or sometimes even halted. In fact, if there is food in the stomach, the waves moving food down the intestinal track might even reverse. This reverse movement causes you to vomit. Your body does not want to expend energy digesting food when it thinks you need all your energy to fight or run.

Certainly there are different degrees of this stress. For instance, the highest levels of "fight or flight" hormones would be found in the people who were directly involved in the terrible hours immediately following the terrorist attacks. Many wounded individuals will have such high levels of hormones that their protein and calorie needs will be high for several weeks and maybe months. Psychological stress also increases these hormones, so family and friends of those killed or wounded will have high levels, perhaps for weeks. We all, however, had some of those hormones when we heard the news. And those feelings of nausea will continue as we relive that day. Each time the reaction gets a little less until our bodies adjust to the shock that changed our lives forever.

Those at the high end of the hormone response will have significantly higher protein and calorie needs for some time. At the same time, their digestive tracks may reject food. They are a challenge to feed and often require professional nutrition intervention. Those dealing with the psychological stress, but no physical injury, will have mild increases in protein and calorie needs but they usually are not so prolonged that they cause nutritional deficiencies. Fluid needs are often more critical, so it is helpful if you encourage individuals who have lost their appetite to at least maintain their fluid intake.

Energy level can be quite high when we first experience these hormones. In fact, you have probably heard of "miracles" when someone is able to lift a car single-handedly from an injured person in times of need. As the hormones slow down, a feeling of exhaustion may occur. The body is finally ready to rest. You may also be feeling this just from the psychological stress of experiencing this life-changing event. Listen to your body and realize those around you may also be over-tired and need more rest.

Don't be surprised or ashamed if you or other loved ones are eating in odd ways or even bingeing or using alcohol in excess. Many individuals use food and/or alcohol as a coping mechanism, and if ever we need to cope, it is right now. Also, many people move into autopilot with food. People just find themselves eating anything, for no reason and without regard for whether they are hungry. There are many reasons for this. For some, it is a reaction to the feeling that they should be doing something, but they don't know what to do. For others, it is an avoidance mechanism. At least for the moments during eating, they can perhaps temporarily stop thinking about what is going on. Food "stuffs down" the emotions.

If food is being used as a coping mechanism in a small way, such as an occasional cookie, let it be. We all need some comfort at such times. If senseless eating or alcohol is out of control and will make someone feel worse or damage their health, it is time to intervene. Make the environment "safe" by purging it of alcohol or foods of low nutritional value. Be aware that individuals with a history of alcohol abuse may need more support right now to stay away from alcohol. Seek counseling to find more constructive ways to deal with the emotions that arise from this event. Also remember the importance of feeling that there is some control in our lives. Establish a routine meal schedule to give assurance and a feeling of security to your family. Simple good deeds, such as checking on a neighbor, volunteering with the Red Cross or other organizations, or acts of kindness will comfort you and contribute to helping you face the coming months.

Source

Dr Irene Nutrition TidbitsSeptember 17, 2001 Volume 2, number 38: "Tragedy and Food"

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