Class considers nutrition while grieving

During times of grief, some people turn to food for comfort and pack on the pounds. Others lose their appetite and, as a result, lots of weight.

No matter the response, those unhealthy diet habits, coupled with the body’s natural response to stress, can cause more problems — both in the short and long term, said Jendy Newman, a registered dietitian at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center’s Diabetes, Endocrine and Nutrition Center.

“It can spiral out of control if it becomes more of a chronic thing,” Newman said. “And, in the short term, if you’re not taking care of yourself nutritionally, it can be hard to cope.”

Everyone responds to grief and stress differently, Newman said. And depending on how the body responds, grief can lead to physical impacts on one’s health, she said.

With short-term stress, the body goes into fight-or-flight mode. The digestive system shuts down so the body can focus on survival, Newman said.

Chronic stress, however, can affect one’s hormones. Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which lead to more fat deposits in the abdominal area. That “angry fat” secretes inflammatory substances that can contribute to other health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease, Newman said.

People who are grieving may also find themselves turning to comfort or convenience foods, rather than preparing healthy, balanced meals.

“When you’re grieving, you have no energy,” said Jodi Wicks, hospice manager for Hospice Southwest. “So it’s easier to drive home and grab something rather than go home and cook something.”

Those poor eating habits, coupled with the biological responses to grief, prompted Newman and Wicks to team up to offer a series of free classes at the Hope Bereavement Center. The nutrition and grief series is the latest in an ongoing effort within the bereavement program to offer classes that address the whole person, Wicks said. Other topics have included music, yoga, meditation and tai chi, she said.

“We’re looking at the whole realm of how grief impacts you physically, mentally and emotionally,” Wicks said.

For years, people attending support groups at the center have talked about not only weight gain and loss while grieving, but not knowing how to cook for one after a spouse dies, Wicks said. As a result, they dine out, she said.

“That’s not healthy eating and healthy coping,” Wicks said.

So when the Hope Bereavement Center started offering the classes last year, Wicks knew she needed to bring in a dietitian for a series. Newman gave an overview presentation at the center Thursday and, beginning Friday afternoon, will hold weekly classes through the month of May.

Each class will have a different topic and will include hands-on components. The goal, Newman said, is to equip people with tools to help them eat healthy while they grieve. She’ll also offer tips on how to prepare meals with foods on hand, plan for leftovers and cook for one. The final class will focus on making healthy choices while dining out.

Newman hopes the classes will help people who are grieving to take care of themselves.

“It gives them an opportunity to get back on track and break the cycle,” she said. “Maybe this is the nudge they need to do something healthier for themselves.”