
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 benets 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.