Anti-Stress Foods

Feeling stressed? Does your day night job drains the life out of you?

Personally, whenever I feel stressed or emotional I tend to overeat (lucky me, it doesn't just show, yet). Methinks, this is common to men women as we turn towards food to comfort us in times of depression, sadness or what-have-yous.  It is not bad to forego our diet once in a while, however, stress-eating and calorie-bingeing is another story. It can take it's toll on our bodies - without relieving stress.

Fret not and learn a healthier alternative to common comfort foods such as ice cream, pizza, pasta, bag of junk chips and all those calorie-packed buddies that helps us cope.

Read on to a healthier and stress-free you.

APPLES 

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away—but did you know it can help with stress, too? Apples arerich in phosphorous and iron, which help boost cell regeneration that is negatively affected in times of stress. This means that if your skin breaks out when you’re stressed, eating an apple can help repair the damage by building new healthy skin tissue.


AVOCADOS

Some people shy away from avocados because they are high in fat—they’ve even been nicknamed the “butter pear”—but what most folks don’t realize is that this kind of fat is good for you. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, as well as potassium, which both help decrease blood pressure levels. Next time, slice some avocado into your salad—it’s delicious and nutritious!


BANANAS 

Bananas are a good source of potassium, which fights fatigue, insomnia, and low blood sugar, as well as carbohydrates, which produce the natural sedative serotonin. Carbohydrates are most commonly associated with fare like pasta and potatoes, but since these are both comfort foods which fall under the easily-abused-when-stressed category, it would probably be wiser to eat a banana instead.


DARK CHOCOLATE

We've told you before that dark chocolate lessens emotional stress, so yes, that chocolate craving that hits you whenever you’re stressed is actually a good thing (as long as you practice moderation). Dark chocolate contains magnesium, which helps tranquilize tension. It’s also rich in theo bromine, which is a natural mood elevator. However, theo bromine is also known to stimulate the brain, and will probably aggravate a person who is already stressed to begin with—so take care not to ingest too much chocolatey goodness.


DRIED APRICOTS

Why not exchange your stash of sweet treats for a pack of dried apricots? They’re good for you, are pretty tasty, and best of all, contain magnesium, which is a natural stress-reliever and muscle relaxant


GREEN VEGETABLES

Green vegetables like broccoli, kale, and Swiss chard contain potassium and B vitamins like folic acid which soothe the nerves and alleviate stress. Experiment with your meals by slipping verde veggies into soups, pastas, and even sandwiches—the possibilities are endless.


HERBS

Herbs like chamomile, passion flower, and dandelion are effective stress relievers because they relax your mind and the muscles in your body. Steep them into fragrant teas to savor the full calming experience. This article by TheTimesOfIndia.com shares that chamomile tea, in particular, has been found to relieve cramps, spasms, and digestive problems caused by nervousness.


NUTS

The next time you see a movie after a stress-packed workweek, munch on some mixed nuts—particularlypistachios, walnuts and almonds. Pistachios and walnuts bring down blood pressure, while almonds help boost the immune system.


ORANGES

Pack a bottle of OJ or a few orange wedges with your daily baon. Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, whichboosts your immune system and reduces its susceptibility to virus. A German study inPsychopharmacology has also proven that Vitamin C helps reduce anxiety by bringing down blood pressure after a stressful situation, according to this MSN Health & Fitness article.


SALMON

Incorporate salmon into your workweek fare to help curb stress. According to this Delish.com article, aDiabetes & Metabolism study discovered that the omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, tuna, and other fish prevent stress hormones from escalating.


SPINACH 

Make like Popeye and have some spinach! Like apricots, spinach is rich in magnesium—so much so, in fact, that one cup of the green stuff contains 40 percent of the magnesium you need in a day. Spinach alsohelps fight fatigue and migraines—two bothersome effects of stress.


SWEET POTATOES 

Substitute your craving for fries with some sweet potato slivers. Sweet potatoes will give you the same soothing sensation that you get from eating chips or candy bars—plus, they’re packed with fiber, beta-carotene, and other immunity-boosting vitamins. 


TURKEY 

If you’re sick of the same old chicken breast, give turkey a taste. Turkey is full of tryptophan, which is a“feel-good” amino acid. Tryptophan helps trigger serotonin, a chemical that produces a calming effect on the body, and melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep and relaxation. In other words, you’ll be stress-free and bed-ready in no time!


WHOLE GRAINS

Have a bowl of brown rice instead of white, or an oatmeal cookie in lieu of a chocolate chip one. Whole grains like brown rice, oats, and whole wheat are chock full of B Vitamins and the chemicalserotonin, which calm the nerves and put your body in a state of relaxation.


YOGURT 

Everyone’s favorite (Mine too!) cold treat just got even sweeter! Yogurt is full of calcium, which helps regulate our nerves. Also, this creamy snack is a great acid neutralizer for those of you who are hyperacidic or have ulcers due to stress.


article source: femalenetwork.com


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While I am not a fan of green-leafy vegetables, I love the other stress-reducing foods. So we can food-binge minus the fats guilt and the additional pounds.

While your on it, you might want to check Amazon's collection of Health Books for women.















Cheers to a healthier, stress-free us!


xo,