Eat for Less Stress
The diet that you consume each day can reduce your stress naturally so that you don’t need to take medications that cause unpleasant side effects. Make sure to create meal plans that contain these foods so that you can have less anxiety by taking advantage of correlation between diet and stress.
Foods That Reduce Stress Naturally
Spinach
Spinach is a highly nutritious dark leafy green that contains iron, vitamin C and tryptophan. When you consume tryptophan, it helps to calm your mind along with relaxing your nervous system. Use spinach in salads and on sandwiches.
Oranges
Oranges contain vitamin C and antioxidants that will boost your body’s immune system. With a healthier immune system, the cortisol levels in your body will decrease, helping to reduce your anxiety.
Salmon
It is important to consume protein each day, and salmon contains antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and protein. Omega-3 fatty acids help to create a healthy brain that can withstand the daily stresses that occur at work or school.
Blueberries
Delicious blueberries are considered a superfood that is recommended for making smoothie beverages or baked goods. This fruit contains the antioxidants, iron and vitamin A that your body requires to overcome the bad effects of a stressful lifestyle.
Almonds
When you eat almonds, you are ingesting vitamin E that helps to reduce the free radicals in your body’s cells. If you are experiencing stress, then your body’s glands release hormones that will damage the cells in your mind and body, but almonds can repair this damage.
Avocado
Avocados contain several types of vitamin B, and this nutrient helps to reduce your mind’s anxiety levels. You can use avocado slices in a salad, or you can mash avocado to create a tasty dip for tortilla chips.
Dark Chocolate
When you feel anxious, you may crave dark chocolate because this delicious treat contains a lot of antioxidants. By eating a small amount of dark chocolate each day, you can have a reduction in the fight-or-flight chemicals in your body.
Asparagus
After eating asparagus, the vitamin B in this vegetable helps your brain to produce dopamine. This chemical improves your overall mood so that you feel less anxious on a daily basis.
Oatmeal
Begin your day with a bowl of hot steel-cut oatmeal. When you are experiencing stress, it is important to eat comfort foods, and warm oatmeal helps your brain to release serotonin that will improve your mood.
Turkey
Turkey has a lot of tryptophan that will increase the amount of serotonin in the pleasure center of your brain. By eating roasted turkey or having a turkey sandwich, you can reduce your stress levels.