Feeling burnt out and exhausted? The ‘innocent’ foods you’re eating could be to blame, nutritionist says

A leading nutritionist has revealed that more Australians than ever are feeling burnt out. Part of the reason may be their diet.

Susie Burrell from Sydney Said “easy solutions” like coffee, alcohol And we're told sugar can do more harm than good and we should instead choose fresh foods like tuna and salad, or lean meat and vegetables.

“How many people do you know who drink coffee, eat some sushi rolls, and then microwave it or take it out? 'Literally all day long, there's little to no fresh food,'” she told FEMAIL.

“Creating a space for ordering fresh food improves these fluctuations by knowing what to buy and cook once a week so fresh ingredients are readily available. ”

Susie explains that burnout is different from general stress or clinical depression when people become so physically and mentally exhausted that they begin to lack empathy for others or feel that their lives lack purpose. He said it happens when you start feeling it.

She said focusing on eating fresh, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and foods rich in omega-3s is a great place to start when fighting burnout .

“When you feel better physically, you are better able psychologically to cope with the stresses and challenges of modern life.”

What exactly is burnout?

Susie said more women are experiencing burnout from juggling work, motherhood and family life. She said this could be described as a type of “mental depletion.”

“While burnout has traditionally been talked about in terms of work environments where people are physically overworked and often under stress, psychological burnout is a different concept,” she says. Stated.

One of the main symptoms of burnout is a lack of empathy, or “compassion fatigue.”

“They're so tired that they're barely aware of the emotions of those around them because they can't react the way they normally would,” Susie explained.

“Things that you would normally be emotional or concerned about actually don't bother you anymore. You don't have natural empathic support.

There's also a general feeling of fatigue and a “lack of joy in life” that doesn't bring joy and enjoyment as it once did.

“Your mood is affected and you wake up without the energy to do the things you would normally do, making it difficult to get through the day,” the nutritionist said.

“If you think of this like an energy investment, energy going in, energy going out. But if everything is going well and little progress is made over time, it's not a cognitive mood issue, it's a general problem. It's a level of fatigue.”

Another sign of burnout is feeling like you're not accomplishing anything or contributing anything meaningful. Susie says this is common in the workplace, but it's also noticeable for stay-at-home moms.

“They go home and feel like they're not doing a good job as a mother, or they're not going to go to work, or it doesn't matter if they're there or not,” she says.

Susie said burnout can be confused with stress and depression, and there are no quick and easy solutions to rebuilding yourself from burnout.

“It's not just a matter of going on vacation or going for a massage. These are deep-seated issues that have to be addressed. It's not about taking a pill and feeling better, it's about neurotransmission. It’s not the instability of the material,” she said.

“That's the physical toll and the psychological consequences of that level of fatigue and emotional exhaustion.”

How can your eating habits cause burnout?

Susie said it's important, especially for busy mothers, to prioritize nourishing your body with beneficial nutrients to cope with the stresses and challenges that come with daily life.

“We start our day, but the focus is never on ourselves. We worry about our children. Our pets leave the house and go to work, so we make sure they are nourished first. “It’s easy to forget to give,” she said.

“The link between self-care and what we eat is so strong because what we eat every day is giving our bodies and even our moods the basic nutrients to function optimally. Because I can imagine that a lot of people forget that.”

Susie says people often deal with “instant” processed foods such as coffee, alcohol and sugar, which are convenient but not necessarily healthy.

“It's like a regular quick kick. Just drinking coffee ends up affecting your hormones, making you gain weight and make you feel even worse,” she said.

“It's a daily short-term hit, but it's a big dent in long-term profits.”

Susie says women are often deficient in important nutrients, which can leave them feeling like they have no energy.

Twenty-five percent of women have low iron levels, and few consume enough omega-3 fats. Physically, I start the day not feeling well, exhausted and my hormones not feeling great,” she said.

“Then you reach a level of burnout, you have no joy, you get mad at everyone and leave the house. Everyone bothers you, you get yelled at all the time by your loved ones, even by your kids. You There is nothing left.”

How can I overcome burnout?

Susie said for people who are feeling burnt out, cleaning up their diet is a great start to rebuilding their energy.

“This is a three, six, 12 month rehabilitation process, but the first step is getting your nutrition right,” she said.

“The first step for a woman is to look at herself and say, 'Well, how can I take care of myself and deal with myself?' Then, of course, you'll find something positive. Because you'll see more, you'll have more fun, and you'll be able to admit when you don't feel good.”

Susie said green juices are a great way to start the day and give your body the nutrients it needs.

“It's not easy to make, but if you can buy coffee instead of coffee, you'll make a big profit,” she said.

For an affordable and healthy lunch, she recommends canned tuna, salads, and prepared meals available at the supermarket.

“The ready-made salads currently sold in supermarkets are cost-effective and of good quality. Add some canned tuna or hot smoked salmon to it. It's an amazing five-minute meal,” she said.

“There are many great ready-made, fresh foods that contain vegetables that are sold in supermarkets.''

Susie said eating a hearty, healthy breakfast and lunch before 1pm can also help curb cravings for sugary, over-processed snacks at 3pm.

She recommended oily fish such as salmon, as well as nuts and seeds to get enough omega-3s.

“Then, once a week, if I have time, I'll roast some vegetables or cook a few salmon or chicken breasts so they're ready to eat. Being on base is a good starting point. Deaf,” Susie said.

Susie recommended red meat, as women are generally iron deficient and feel more tired.

She suggested eating a lean lamb cutlet with a ready-made salad, or a lean burger patty or sausage with roasted vegetables.

“To make your life easier, you need to build a system that fits your lifestyle, not something you add to it,” she said.

“The key is to be more efficient at what you can handle. And while we have to eat, we might as well make the best choices we can.”

Susie hosts one-off events. From burnout to your best selfto help women recover from burnout.