These 'Comfort Foods' Are Physically Making Your Stress Levels Worse

They don't just make you feel guilty — they have a very real impact on your physiology.

When you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, you may turn to “comfort foods” like ice cream, cookies, chips and fries. But some of the foods and drinks that our bodies crave the most can actually cause stress levels to spike even more.

Because adults are feeling increasingly anxious due to a tumultuous economy, high-stakes election and other day-to-day stressors, it’s especially important to be aware of how we can manage our stress, including with what we eat and drink.

We talked to nutritionists about what they avoid consuming when they’re feeling particularly anxious — and what they do instead to help boost their moods.

So, how does diet affect your mood?

“For stress relief and mood support, I always first look at the diet and see where small adjustments can be made,” said Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist and author of “Calm Your Mind With Food.”