A Well-Balanced Diet Is Crucial To Stress Reduction
Is your day getting to you? No one can go through life without getting stressed at one point or another. Stress, being one of our worst enemies, makes life miserable. So wouldn’t it be great if we could just kick it out of our lives with a bite to eat? Research has proven that certain foods, eaten on a regular basis, do just that- relieve stress.
Ever wonder how Popoye turned superhero the minute he downed a can of spinach? Far from being a cartoon myth, the high vitamin content and magnesium actually serves as an energy booster. A juicy orange is a tasty source of Vitamin C and a host of other nutrients that increases immunity and lowers stress. Vitamin-rich almonds, particularly B and E, are perfect for relieving stress as they instantly amplify energy levels.
Sweet potato is a starchy high-carb vegetable ideal for curbing hunger pangs during times of stress. The beta carotene content and assorted vitamins make this a very nutritional snack too.
Have you found yourself reaching for the toffee tray when stressed out? Studies have proven eating sweets actually does relieve stress. Though this may be great news for our tongues, the high sugar consumption will do more damage than good in the long run. Thus sweet potato, with its natural sugar content and sweet taste will stave off the craving, literally saving us from ourselves.
Dried fruits, commonly available these days, are just as tasty as fresh fruits and have high nutritional value. Apricots in particular are deliciously sweet and can satiate your candy craving any day! An added pro is the magnesium content that loosens taught muscles bringing your body into a relaxed state.
The soft, tasty thanksgiving turkey that we celebrate with every year, is actually another relaxant due to the Tryptophan present in it. This has a natural sedative effect.
Why does a heavy turkey meal make you sleepy? Tryptophan, an amino acid present in turkey, is a natural sedative. Thus turkey consumption when you’re stressed is helpful, as Tryptophan causes Serotonin, a feel-good chemical, to be released from the brain. This in turn, helps you feel good!
Fish too play their part in deflating a high stress situation. Salmon and white fish literally calm the brain with omega-3 fatty acids. These acids prevent stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline from being produced in large amounts at a time, thus allowing the consumer to be calm and collected in a scenario where he would normally panic!
Avocados, walnuts and brown rice also reduce stress and give you that needed boost of energy. The next time you find your anxiety spiraling out of control, remember that food should be your ally, not your enemy. When you control the food you eat everything else will automatically fall in place.
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