Feeling stressed?
Did you know what you eat can improve or worsen your situation? This article offers guidance on what to eat and what to avoid when your stress levels are heightened.
The #1 rule - avoid junk foods when feeling stressed
While you may think that cheeseburger or pizza can help improve your food, snacking on junk foods during times of stress will only provide a moment of relief. After the initial pleasure wears off, you may find yourself feeling irritable, fatigued and other unpleasant emotions on top of your stress. This is due to the excessive sugar and synthetic / unnatural ingredients you have consumed.
From a pyschological point of view, consumption of foods you know are not healthy will also often result in you feeling guilty for doing so, thus heightening your stress.
What to eat when stressed
By eating healthy foods, you can improve your mood, helping to stabilize blood sugar, and achieve stress relief. Overall, a healthy diet can counter the impact of stress by strengthening your immune system and lowering blood pressure.
Eating certain foods boosts levels of serotonin, a calming and feel-good brain hormone. Other foods can cut levels of cortisol and adrenaline, stress hormones that take a toll on the body over time.
Stress-busting foods
Avocado - a top option to reach for when feeling stressed
Here is a list of foods that help you when stressed and an outline of what they can do for you:
Turkey breast (preferably organic) - a good source of tryptophan. This leads our brain to release serotonin, which promotes calmness.
Salmon (preferably wild-caught) - a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which can prevent surges in stress-producing hormones and help brain cells to function more collaboratively, and thus deal with stress more effectively.
Avocado - contains stress-relieving B vitamins. Provides a filling and healthy snack, which can help you avoid reaching for junk foods.
Spinach - good source of magnesium, a mineral that helps to regulate cortisol levels and promote feelings of wellbeing.
Blueberries - rich in stress-busting antioxidants and vitamin C, which boost immunity.
Almonds - good source of vitamins B2 and E, which help boost your immune system during times of stress.
Dark chocolate - studies have linked consumption to a reduction in stress hormones and lower blood pressure.
Green tea - full of theanine, which increases your brain’s output of relaxation promotion alpha waves.
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