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Reduce Stress with Healthy Food Choices

When you’re stressed out, what kinds of foods do you crave? More often than not our stressed bodies and minds want comfort foods. We might reach for a slice of cake or choose to have a burger and fries. That type of eating may provide us with momentary satisfaction and a jolt of energy, but it’s then followed by a sinking spell. The truth is, high-calorie, high carb, and sugary foods don’t help us de-stress. Instead, when we want to lower our stress levels, we should look for foods that are high in protein, whole grains and rich Omega 3s. Here are a few foods to keep on hand when we are in the mood to stress eat.

  • Pistachios – pistachios contain Vitamin B6 that’s needed to produce serotonin. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that regulates our mood. It’s also found in sweet potatoes, garlic and avocados.
  • Sliced Red Peppers – red peppers have stores of Vitamin C. According to Psychology Today, “People who took high doses of Vitamin C before something stress-inducing, like an oral presentation, had lower blood pressure and recovered faster from the cortisol surge.”
  • Dark Chocolate – research has proven that eating a small square of dark chocolate daily helps to keep us calm. The flavonoids found in chocolate help to lower the stress hormone cortisol.
  • Oatmeal – complex carbs like whole grain oatmeal are digested slowly and don’t spike blood sugar. Additionally, oatmeal helps to produce serotonin – the de-stressing neurotransmitter.
  • Spinach – spinach and other leafy greens are rich in stress-busting magnesium. People with low magnesium levels have elevated C-reactive proteins which lead to stress and depression.

 

 

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