<p>Nutritionist Fayrouz Eid joined Nile FM's Brain Busters to talk about the connection between food, stress, and overall well-being&mdash;especially during Ramadan.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>How Stress Affects Your Body: More Than Just a Feeling</strong></span></p>
<p>Stress doesn&rsquo;t just mess with your mood&mdash;it affects your hormones, metabolism, digestion, and even sleep. According to Fayrouz, when stress takes over, your body holds onto weight, craves unhealthy food, and struggles to function properly.</p>
<p>&ldquo;<em>One of the worst things you can do is skip meals</em>,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;Your body needs consistency. If you have three meals, don&rsquo;t skip one of them. Stress makes it harder to tune into what your body needs.&rdquo; So, what&rsquo;s the fix? Deep breaths, proper sleep, and enough food. Skipping meals leaves you hungrier later, affecting digestion and disrupting sleep. <em>&ldquo;A well-rested body is a well-functioning body. Prioritizing good sleep and balanced meals is key.&rdquo;</em></p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Is Food the Main Factor Affecting Weight?</strong></span></p>
<p>Many people think weight is just about calories in, and calories out, but Fayrouz challenges that idea.</p>
<p><em>&ldquo;There are five major factors that affect weigh</em>t,&rdquo; she explains. &ldquo;<em>It&rsquo;s not just about food&mdash;it&rsquo;s about your emotional, social, and environmental well-being. Everything is connected.</em>&rdquo;</p>
<p>When stress is high, your body clings to energy sources, making extreme dieting or calorie-counting backfire. &ldquo;Numbers matter, sure, but if you&rsquo;re stressed out, your body reacts differently. Weight loss isn&rsquo;t just about food&mdash;it&rsquo;s about how your whole body responds to your environment.&rdquo;</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice about food and health, what would it be?</strong></p>
<p>Fayrouz keeps it simple: <em><strong>&ldquo;Don&rsquo;t restrict food unnecessar</strong>ily.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p><em>&ldquo;You&rsquo;re eating for your body now, not just for your age. Instead of extreme restriction, focus on balance. Calories matter, yes, but it&rsquo;s about what you eat, not just the numbers.&rdquo;</em></p>
<p>The Science Behind Hunger and Fullness</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>When it comes to eating habits, understanding how your body signals hunger and fullness is crucial. Two key hormones play a major role in this process:</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>1. Ghrelin &ndash; The Hunger Hormone</strong></p>
<p>Produced in the stomach, ghrelin signals your brain when it&rsquo;s time to eat. Its levels rise before meals, making you feel hungry, and decrease after eating. If you find yourself constantly craving food, ghrelin might be at play&mdash;especially if your eating schedule is inconsistent.</p>
<p><strong>2. Leptin &ndash; The Fullness Hormone</strong></p>
<p>Leptin, on the other hand, is released by fat cells and tells your brain when you&rsquo;re full. When leptin levels are high, you naturally eat less. However, chronic stress, poor sleep, and unhealthy eating habits can disrupt leptin sensitivity, making it harder to recognize when you&rsquo;ve had enough.</p>
<p>According to Fayrouz, maintaining balanced hormone levels isn&rsquo;t just about what you eat&mdash;it&rsquo;s also about lifestyle. by tuning into these natural cues, you can create a healthier relationship with food--not just during Ramadan, but all year round.</p>
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<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Make Ramadan Work for You</strong></span></p>
<p>Ramadan isn&rsquo;t just about fasting&mdash;it&rsquo;s an opportunity to check in with yourself. Instead of obsessing over food, ask yourself: How are my stress levels? Am I sleeping enough? Is my body getting what it truly needs?</p>
<p>When you take a holistic approach&mdash;balancing meals, managing stress, and getting enough rest&mdash;you&rsquo;ll feel lighter, stronger, and more energized. Not just during Ramadan, but all year long.</p>

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