As Julia Child said,“People who love to eat are always the best people.” Food is an incredible thing. With all the positives food brings to our lives, most importantly sustaining us, it can also play a damaging role to our overall physical and mental health. I've decided to create a list of stress-reducing foods to share with you, because maybe like me, you need to fight stress.
You probably know that comfort food is not the same as calming food. Usually, the food I seek out when I am stressed isn’t good for me. By sharing this list of stress-reducing foods, I hope to give you us both tools necessary to make smart choices in a time of heightened stress.
Avocado
One superfood that helps keep blood pressure low is an avocado, as it is high in potassium. And potassium isn’t the only benefit of avocados. They also contain beta-carotene, folate, glutathione, lutein, and vitamin E. There are many ways to enjoy an avocado. They blend well in smoothies, taste great with homemade salsa, and slice well for sandwiches.
Bananas (Not a keto food)
Similar to the avocado, a banana is full of potassium, but that’s not its only benefit. Depending on the size, bananas are diet friendly at approximately only 100 calories each. Bananas are a filling snack that has 30% of the day’s vitamin B6, which helps the brain produce serotonin. The best thing about bananas is that they can be eaten on their own, making them an easy on-the-go snack.
Chocolate and Nuts
According to Jennifer Warner of WebMD Health News, “Researchers found that eating the equivalent of one average-sized dark chocolate candy bar (1.4 ounces) each day for two weeks reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol as well as the “fight-or-flight” hormones known as catecholamines in highly stressed people.”
Nuts can be a great alternative to other snacks. They are an ideal combination of protein and fats, are easily portable, and meet salty cravings. According to Prevention, “Cashews are an especially good source of zinc—a 1-ounce serving has 11 percent of your RDA. Low levels of zinc have been linked to both anxiety and depression.” Similar to chocolate, nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, and walnuts maintain a healthy cortisol level.
Oatmeal (Not a keto food)
Oatmeal precipitates the brain to produce serotonin, the level of which is reduced by stress. Another benefit of oatmeal is the soluble fiber in oatmeal, beta-glucan, has been found to satisfy people more than other grains. Even though it’s a calming meal, oatmeal feels like a comfort food. Another perk to oatmeal is that it’s easy to make, and easy to store and reheat.
Quinoa
Considered an ancient grain, quinoa increases serotonin levels in the brain. Quinoa, a complex carbohydrate, also takes longer to digest than other grains, as it’s less processed or modified. Because of this, your clients are less likely to experience spikes in blood sugar, and spikes usually result in concentration issues, mood swings, cravings, and fatigue.
We live in a stressful world and it is paramount that we know how to counteract the negative affects.
Melissa Saulnier survived Ovarian Cancer in 2006.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Melissa Saulnier does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
Comments