7 Foods That Reduce Stress
© BodyHoliday, Saint Lucia
Usually when people are stressed out they resort to eating comfort foods and unhealthy treats. Here are some foods that can actually help to reduce stress and keep you on track!
Asparagus
Folic acid has a high presence in this vegetable. The great thing about folic acid is that it’s very helpful as a mood stabilizer. Our bodies release hormones that affect our mood when we’re stressed. Folic Acid, along with B vitamins are very helpful at keeping your mood steady because they key in producing serotonin, a chemical that directly affects mood in a positive way.
Beef
Beef often gets looked at in a negative light, but it’s an excellent option for a stressed out family’s dinner. Key nutrients in beef, like zinc, iron and B vitamins are known to stabilize moods. For those concerned about the fat content in beef, purchase the leaner cuts.
Milk
Antioxidants, Vitamins B2 and B12, protein and calcium are all present in milk. A bowl of whole-grain cereal and low fat milk in the morning is an awesome way to start the day – stress fighting style.
Cottage Cheese and Fruit
Cottage cheese is high in protein and calcium. Its high protein and low sugar content won’t cause a spike in blood sugar and can keep you satiated for a longer time. Mixing cottage cheese with fruit that is high in Vitamin C, like oranges is a great idea. Vitamin C plays a role in fighting stress since it’s an antioxidant that fights free radicals that get released when you’re stressed.
Almonds
Chewing almonds is a great snack to munch on when you’re stressed. Crunching on almonds really helps to get aggression out. Almonds are a good source of Vitamin B2 and E, as well as magnesium and zinc, almonds are high in fat, but most of the fat is unsaturated. Like vitamin C, vitamin E has been shown to fight the free radicals associated with stress.
Blueberries
Very rich in antioxidants, blueberries offer a high-fiber, low-calorie fruit option that is also rich in stress-fighting vitamin C. They’re great with cottage cheese too.
Tuna
Tuna is a great lunch option; it’s high in stress-fighting vitamins B6 and B12. Tuna is also a good low-fat protein source.
