The Stress Reducing Diet

When you’re stressed out, the foods that you’re turning to are most likely going to

be traditional ‘comfort’ foods – think big meals, take-out, fatty foods, sweet foods,

and alcohol. Let’s face it – we’ve all found some comfort in a tasty meal and a

bottle of beer or glass of wine when we’ve been stressed out or upset about

something. However, this isn’t a good permanent solution.

When you’re munching on unhealthy foods, you can feel better temporarily, but in the

long run, you will feel worse. When your body isn’t getting the right nutrition, you

can begin to feel less energetic, more lethargic, and in some cases less able to

concentrate and focus. All of this can lead to even more stress.

Foods that Fight Stress

If you’ve been feeling more stressed out than usual lately, it’s important to know

which foods are best to choose and which to avoid when it comes to combating

stress and helping you to deal with feelings of stress and anxiety. The best way to

􀁽fight stress is to have a healthy, balanced diet which includes a moderate amount

of each of the different food groups.

Filling up on foods such as whole grains, leafy vegetables, and lean proteins as the

basic staples of the diet is the best way to ensure that your body gets the optimum

amounts of nutrients to 􀁽fight both physical and mental health problems. When it

comes to choosing the foods to eat, some have a range of great properties which

help the body to combat stress. Choosing these stress-busting foods will help to

heal and calm your mind permanently, rather than providing a temporary 􀁽fix.

Some of the best stress-􀁽fighting foods include:

Avocado – Avocados are a creamy and versatile fruit which can be eaten in a range

of different ways whether you enjoy it raw, made into sauces, dressings and dips, or

in a smoothie.

These nutrient-dense fruits have the properties to stress-proof your

body, thanks to their high glutathione content which blocks the

intestinal absorption of certain fats which cause oxidative damage.

Avocados also contain higher levels of vitamin E, folate, and beta-carotene than any other fruit, which boosts their stress-busting properties. However, be careful with portion control when eating avocado, as it is high in fat.

Blueberries – If you’re feeling stressed out and reaching for the snacks, swapping

chocolate or chips for one of the best superfoods is a great way to help you deal

with your stress levels and achieve a higher level of calm.

Blueberries have some of the highest levels of antioxidants, especially antho-cyanin, which means that this berry has been linked to a wide range of health bene􀁽ts including sharper

cognition, better focus, and a clearer mind – all of which can help you to better deal with stress.

Chamomile Tea – Of course, it’s not all about what you’re eating when it comes to

managing stress; what you’re drinking can also alleviate or worsen the stress you're

feeling. Drinking liquids that are high in sugars and caffeine, such as coffee,

energy drinks or soda, can actually increase your stress levels if consumed

regularly.

Chamomile tea has long been used as a natural bedtime soother, and it

has also been used in clinical trials, which determined that chamomile tea is

effective in reducing the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.

Chocolate – Although it’s usually seen as an unhealthy treat, there is an

undeniable link between chocolate and our mood. Studies have shown that eating

chocolate can actually make you happier. However, that doesn’t mean that you

can start munching on chocolate bars every time you're stressed out – chocolate

works best as a de-stressor when eaten in moderation and as part of a healthy and

balanced diet.

Dark chocolate is best for you, as it contains more 􀁾avonols and polyphenols, two hugely important antioxidants which can help combat stress, more than many fruit juices.