When you’re stressed out, the foods that you’re turning to are most likely going to
be traditional ‘comfort’ foods – think big meals, take-out, fatty foods, sweet foods,
and alcohol. Let’s face it – we’ve all found some comfort in a tasty meal and a
bottle of beer or glass of wine when we’ve been stressed out or upset about
something. However, this isn’t a good permanent solution.
When you’re turning to unhealthy foods you can feel better temporarily, but in the
long run, you will feel worse. When your body isn’t getting the right nutrition, you
can begin to feel less energetic, more lethargic, and in some cases less able to
concentrate and focus. All of this can lead to even more stress.
Foods that Fight Stress
If you’ve been feeling more stressed out than usual lately, it’s important to know
which foods are best to choose and which to avoid when it comes to combating
stress and helping you to deal with feelings of stress and anxiety. The best way to
fight stress is to have a healthy, balanced diet which includes a moderate amount
of each of the different food groups.
Filling up on foods such as whole grains, leafy vegetables, and lean proteins as the basic staples of the diet is the best way to ensure that your body gets the optimum amounts of nutrients to fight both physical and mental health problems. When it comes to choosing the foods to eat, some have a range of great properties which help the body to combat stress. Choosing these stress-busting foods will help to heal and calm your mind permanently, rather than providing a temporary fix.
Some of the best stress-fighting foods include:
Blueberries – If you’re feeling stressed out and reaching for the snacks, swapping
chocolate or chips for one of the best superfoods is a great way to help you deal with your
stress levels and achieve a higher level of calm. Blueberries have some of the highest levels
of antioxidants, especially antho-cyanin, which means that this berry has been linked to a
wide range of health benefits including sharper cognition, better focus, and a clearer mind
– all of which can help you to better deal with stress.
Chamomile Tea – Of course, it’s not all about what you’re eating when it comes to
managing stress; what you’re drinking can also alleviate or worsen the stress you're feeling.
Drinking liquids which are high in sugars and caffeine, such as coffee, energy drinks or
soda, can actually increase your stress levels if consumed regularly. Chamomile tea has
long been used as a natural bedtime soother, and it has also been used in clinical trials,
which determined that chamomile tea is effective in reducing the symptoms of
generalized anxiety disorder.
Avocado – Avocados are a creamy and versatile fruit which can be eaten in a range of
different ways whether you enjoy it raw, made into sauces, dressings and dips, or in a
smoothie. These nutrient-dense fruits have the properties to stress-proof your body, thanks
to their high glutathione content which specifically blocks the intestinal absorption of
certain fats which cause oxidative damage. Avocados also contain higher levels of vitamin
E, folate, and beta-carotene than any other fruit, which boosts their stress-busting
properties. However, be careful with portion control when eating avocado, as it is high in
fat.
Beef – Grass-fed beef is not only kinder to the planet and to animals, it’s also good for
people, too. Grass-fed beef has a huge range of antioxidants, including beta-carotene and
Vit-amins C and E, which can help your body to fight stress and anxiety. If you’re looking for
more reasons to spend a little more money on organic, grass-fed beef, it’s also lower in fat
than grain-fed beef whilst being higher in omega-3.
Oatmeal – Oatmeal is great in that it can be a filling comfort food, but also has a large
number of healthy properties to actually make you feel better from the inside out. A
complex carbohydrate, eating oatmeal causes your brain to produce higher levels of the
feel-good chemical serotonin, helping you to feel calmer and less stressed. Studies have
shown that kids who choose oatmeal for breakfast tend to be much sharper throughout
the morning in school compared to kids who had alternative morning meals.
Chocolate – Although it’s usually seen as an unhealthy treat, there is an undeniable link
between chocolate and our mood. Studies have shown that eating chocolate can actually
make you happier. However, that doesn’t mean that you can start munching on chocolate
bars every time you're stressed out – chocolate works best as a de-stressor when eaten in
moderation and as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Dark chocolate in particular is best
for you, as it contains more flavonols and polyphenols, two hugely important antioxidants
which can help combat stress, more than many fruit juices.
Walnuts – If you’re looking for a healthy snacking option which will help you to stay better
in control of your stress levels, walnuts are a great choice. There is no denying the sweet,
pleasant flavor of walnuts and they can be a tasty snack for in-between meals or as part of
a desert. A versatile nut, walnuts are great for salads, or add them to a sweet treat such as
coffee and walnut cake.
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