Why Do We Eat When We Are Stressed?

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Patrick Hercules

Stress can impact our health in various ways, including our eating behaviors. It can influence our appetite, how much we eat, and the types of food we choose. Studies show that stressful events activate systems associated with metabolism, cognition, and reward.

When a person is stressed or overwhelmed, their body produces cortisol, the hormone that creates the body’s fight-or-flight response to help protect itself. When a person has elevated cortisol levels for a prolonged period of time, such as during repeated and constant stressors, this can lead to fat storage, weight gain, and increased consumption of foods that are energy-dense and high in sugar and fat. These types of foods are “comfort” foods that can seem like they are counteracting stress; however, they may contribute to a person’s stress-induced craving for those foods.

There are several ways to manage stress eating, including:

Practicing mindful eating
Finding healthier options for your sweet or savory cravings
Watching your portion sizes
Meditating
Exercising
Finding sources of social support

If you need the assistance and support of a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5575 to schedule an appointment.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

15 Foods to Add to Your Diet to Boost Your Brain Health

Posted on December 27, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

The brain is the command center of the body. It processes information and sends messages controlling everything your body does from thoughts and emotions to memory and motor skills.

As we age, the brain experiences physiological changes that affect memory, focus, and word recall. Fortunately, we can combat some of these changes with our diet, which plays a major role in keeping our minds sharp and maintaining our mental function.

Brain foods are foods that can benefit brain health. They contain various nutrients that keep the brain functioning well. They include:

Omega-3 fatty acids
B vitamins
Vitamin E
Vitamin C
Vitamin K
Selenium
Iron
Choline

Eating a diet rich in these nutrients can help fight off common brain-related conditions and symptoms often associated with age. These nutrients may help with:

Brain development
Proper signaling of neurotransmitters
Processing and understanding new information
Memory
Protein balance
Reducing the risk of brain-related conditions linked to inflammation, such as depression and dementia

Here are 15 foods to add to your diet that are rich in essential nutrients:

Eggs
Fatty fish
Berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries
Broccoli
Mushrooms
Walnuts
Turmeric
Coffee
Leafy greens
Green tea
Dark chocolate
Fermented dairy
Avocados
Certain fruit juices such as pomegranate, grape, and cherry juice
Whole grains

Remember, no food on its own will magically transform your brain. However, eating brain foods regularly can keep your brain sharp and maintain your cognitive ability as you age. Maintaining an overall healthy eating pattern is important to reap the health benefits of these nutrient-rich foods.

A Flavorsome and Comforting Chicken Chili Recipe for Fall Dinners

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

As the summer fades into fall, here is a comforting and delicious recipe for chicken chili to add to your dinner rotation.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/katie-lee/chicken-chili-3869708

Summer Fruits for Diabetics

Posted on June 21, 2024 by Patrick Hercules

It can be difficult for diabetics to stay away from tempting sweet treats that can raise their blood sugar. It may sound cliché to call fruit, “nature’s candy”, but fruit can be a much healthier alternative to keep your blood sugar levels low while satisfying those cravings.

Here are some delicious fruits to add to your diet:

Apricots
Grapefruit
Grapes
Cherries
Blueberries
Honeydew melon
Kiwi
Papaya
Nectarines
Tangerines

Here are some fruits to have in moderation:

Apples
Bananas
Cantaloupe
Avocado
Blackberries
Oranges
Strawberries
Plums
Raspberries
Peaches
Pears
Mango

Fruits are an essential part of a nutritious diet. It is important to note that not all fruits may be good for people living with diabetes. Eat them in moderation, consider their glucose index levels, practice portion control, and always monitor your blood sugar.

Employee Spotlight on Nicole Santucci, RD CDN

Posted on January 31, 2019 by Andrew Rubin

This month we are very happy to shine our employee spotlight on Nicole Santucci, a nutritionist who has been working at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for almost four years.

Nicole grew up on Long Island in North Valley Stream and attended the Willow Road Elementary School, Valley Stream North High School and is a graduate of Syracuse University. She is currently enrolled at Stony Brook University where she will be completing her Master’s degree in May of 2019.

Nicole became interested in nutrition while taking a course at Syracuse University. Having been diagnosed as a Type I Diabetic when she was nine years old, eating healthy became a way of life she needed to adhere to. Her parents were very supportive and she was brought up as any other normal child would be, learning how to manage her diabetes successfully through proper eating habits, exercise and taking her medication. Because she has lived with diabetes for most of her life and learned so much from nutritionists who guided her, she felt it would be a natural fit as a career choice for her. She enjoys working at Jamaica Hospital for many reasons. Her department works well together as a team which is very important. From an educational standpoint she feels that the diverse population of patients will allow her to learn about many different cultures and provide her with invaluable learning experiences.

Nicole has very family strong ties to the Richmond Hill community and to the hospital itself. Not only was her father and many of her relatives born at Jamaica Hospital, but her uncle Thomas Santucci Jr was the Chairman of the Department of Medicine for over 30 years.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys cooking, especially Italian food, going to the movies, running when the weather permits and going to plays in Manhattan. She enjoys traveling and has been to many places both in Europe and the Caribbean. One of her favorite cities is Prague because of its beauty and her mother’s family came from there so she feels a strong connection to it. She enjoys spending time with her dog, a corgi hound mix named Pebbles who is a rescue. Nicole is engaged to be married in the Fall of 2019 so wedding planning are another activity that she is enjoying.

We are fortunate to have Nicole as part of our team of nutritionists at Jamaica Hospital and thank her for playing such an important role in our patients’ treatment.

March is National Nutrition Month

Posted on March 13, 2018 by Andrew Rubin

National Nutrition Month, founded by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, actually started in 1973 as just a week-long event but because of the public’s growing interest in the topic, it was expanded in 1980 to a month long event. The objective of this observance is to promote healthy eating habits, and encourage physical activity. The theme for 2018 is “Go Further With Food”. It’s message includes:
• Encouraging a healthy eating style with a variety of foods
• Home cooking with healthy ingredients
• Eating meals in healthy amounts
• Including physical activity into a daily routine
• Maintaining a health weight
If you feel that you need to acquire better eating habits and would like some professional assistance, please speak to your physician who will be able to refer you to a nutritionist. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Jamaica Hospital please call 718-206-7001.

Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Apples

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Xavia Malcolm

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” is an old Welsh proverb that many of us have heard at some point in our lives. While the saying is not accurate, and leading a healthy lifestyle requires much more than eating this fruit each day; studies have found that apples provide us with several health benefits.

Apples are one of the best foods to include in your diet. They are rich in important components such as quercetin, vitamin C, pectin and more. Studies have associated these substances with several benefits which include:

Improving neurological health– Quercetin contains two compounds that are known to help reduce cellular death caused by the oxidation and inflammation of neurons.
Reducing the risk of certain cancers- The American Association for Cancer Research has found that consuming apples rich in flavonoids such as quercetin and rutin can help to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. Apple peels contain compounds that promote anti-growth activity in cancer cells that develop in the breast, liver and colon.
Lowering cholesterol- Fibers found in apples such as pectin are linked to lowering levels of LDL cholesterol.
Boosting immunity- Apples are a good source of immune-boosting nutrients such as vitamin C.
Reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes- A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that flavonoids such as anthocyanins are associated with lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

While eating apples each day may not keep your doctor away, they can be a key factor in helping you to maintain your health. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help to reduce the risk of several diseases and improve overall wellness.

Breakfast is Important

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Joann Ariola

Let’s start with a question on this #WellnessWednesday. What did your child have for breakfast this morning?

If the answer is “nothing” you may want to read on.

Nutritional experts have concluded that children who leave the house without eating a balanced breakfast are more apt to be tired, irritable and fidgety. Conversely, nutritional experts have found that when your child eats breakfast, regularly, there is a marked improvement in their energy, attitude, general health and test score performance.

Some tips to help you to incorporate breakfast into your child’s morning routine are:

Prepare clothing, books, and school supplies the night before to leave more time in the morning for breakfast

Set the alarm for 15 minutes earlier

Choose foods that require little preparation such as fresh fruits, milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, whole grain cereals or hot oatmeal

For children with slight appetites, offer a fruit smoothie or breakfast bar

Probably the best way to get your children to eat breakfast is to be a good role model. As adults, we can be very busy and may sacrifice our own breakfast in the morning. Sit down and join your child for a good first meal of the day. By doing so, you will show them the value of eating breakfast.

Resolve to Eat Right

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

With the holidays drawing to a close, it will soon be the time for resolutions. Why not make eating right a part of your resolution?

Eating right doesn’t have to be complicated. You can begin with a simple shift to lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates into your nutritional regimen while lessening your intake of processed foods, white flour and sugar.

For more information on eating healthy, contact the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Nutritional Services Department at 718-206-7056 to speak with a nutritionist.

Breastfeeding Benefits for Mommy and Baby

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Zakiya Hazel-Jemmott

One of the first decisions you will make as a new mother is whether or not you are going to breastfeed. When you choose to breastfeed, you make an investment in your baby’s future. Your milk gives your baby the healthy start that will last a lifetime. Breastfeeding allows you to produce nourishment that is perfect for your baby.

If you are still undecided, here are JHMC’s top five reasons for choosing breastfeeding as the best form of nutrition for your baby:

It provides nutrients and protection. The first milk, called colostrum, is the perfect first food for babies. Your breast milk’s antibodies help protect baby from the cold and flu and boost his ability to fight off more serious illnesses such as certain cancers like leukemia and Hodgkin’s disease.
It is always ready and the right temperature. No need to decipher whether your milk is too hot or cold, simply place baby to breast for her feeding.
It creates a greater bond between mother and infant. The skin-to-skin contact you both receive from breastfeeding creates a greater bond since breastfeeding releases the “bonding hormone” oxytocin. The same hormone that’s released when you hug or kiss a loved one.
It provides protection for Mom as well. According to the National Cancer Institute, breastfeeding is associated with a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
It lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends breastfeeding for as long as possible to reduce the risk of SIDS. A German study published in 2009 found that breastfeeding – either exclusively or partially – is associated with a lower risk of SIDS. The researchers concluded that exclusive breastfeeding at one month of age cut the risk of SIDS in half.

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center encourages and supports a mother’s decision to breastfeed. Our newest example of this is the opening of our Mother’s Nursing room located on the ground floor of the main hospital

On June 1, 2016 Jamaica Hospital Medical Center introduced their Mother’s Nursing Room for breastfeeding mothers. This new, two-station room allows women more privacy to feed their babies in a clean and spacious environment. It is the Medical Center’s policy that any employee or member of the community who needs to express breast milk or breastfeed their infant will have access to this room.

To get more information on the benefits of breastfeeding and how to breastfeed your newborn, our Lactation Consultant is available five days a week. Please call, 718-206-8645.

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