A fast-paced life with it invites stress and anxiety. The daily rigmarole of life can be stressful for many of us and we all have different ways to deal with it. While some resort to exercises, some go for meditation or travel while some turn to retail therapy (including me :P).
There are many strategies and one of them can be a stress management diet. A good diet can help controlling stress in many ways. A healthy bowl of cereals or a glass of warm milk can calm down the stress nerves, shore up the immune system and lower the blood sugar levels.
But food can work as your ally or enemy depending upon what you choose to eat. Hence, it’s important to watch what you eat when you are feeling all frazzled. Here is a list of 10 food items that can work as a win-win deal for you by curbing your stress and keep the weight scale down as well.
Avocado: High in potassium, this fruit helps to keep the blood pressure in check. Half Avocado has enough potassium than a medium sized banana. However, avocado also is high on fats and calories so keep a check on the portion size.
Chamomile tea: Calm your nerves with a hot chamomile tea. People world over sip on this tea because of its antibacterial, anti inflammatory, antioxidant, and relaxant properties.
Carrots: Munching on crunchy food can help you bring down the stress levels as it helps release your clenched jaw which can help ward off tension. Make it nutritious by munching on carrots, celery and other crunchy veggies which will also keep your calories in check.
Skim Milk: Not only vitamins, but a glass of warm milk at night can help you with sound sleep. A night-time stress buster, calcium in milk eases anxiety and mood swings.
Dry Fruits: Stress can bring down your immune system and a regular intake of walnuts, almonds and pistachio can help boost it with vitamins and zinc and healthy fats. A handful of dry fruits in a day can help control cholesterol, reduce chances of diabetes and also protects you against the symptoms of stress. But keep in mind, nuts are rich in calories too so don’t over-indulge.
Dark Chocolate: Nothing can work wonders like a good chocolate and just a piece of it to savor can at times help reduce stress . Dark chocolate is known to help in lowering stress hormones and the sugar in chocolates release mood enhancing serotonin. So, don’t forget to keep a pack of dark chocolate in your bag.
Carbs: All carbs help to make serotonin in the brain and for a regular supply of this chemical in the brain, indulge in good carbs like whole grain breads, pastas, oatmeal and cereals. This food also helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Spinach: Less magnesium in-take can trigger headaches and fatigue. But this can be dealt with, by a bunch of spinach. If you are not very fond of spinach, any green leafy vegetable can help you out.
Fatty Fish: Rich in Omega 3, fishes like Salmon and Tuna can not only help you bring down the stress hormones but also curb heart problems, depression and even premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Make it a part of your diet by eating it twice a week.
Citric Fruits: Citric fruits are high on Vitamin C which helps to ease stress. Make citric fruits like oranges and berries a part of your daily diet and enjoy a good health and be stress releived at the same time. Oranges are high in fiber making it gut friendly and aiding in lower stress.
A tensed muscle, pounding headaches, sleepless nights, palpitations are some of the forms of stress and we all feel wrung out by it sometimes and if this stress is a daily thing in your life, it’s called “Chronic Stress” which can impact different parts of your body and your overall health.
A good diet rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, vitamins and nutrients helps in a healthy brain functioning, reduced inflammation and oxidative stress. Cut down on alcohol, sugar and caffeine as they may increase anxiety.
A simple change in the diet can have many benefits to the body. From keeping your weight in check to helping reduce stress and anxiety, food can do many wonders when eaten the right way. So next time when you feel that life is taking a toll on your health, turn to these healthy eating options and lead a pleasant life.
This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter campaign where in the month of February I am talking about Mental Wellbeing.
27 replies on “Food that helps to relieve stress”
I do indulge in dark chocolate and coffee whenever stressed. Healthy eating and these foods do help alot in reducing our stress and keeping them in control.
I never knew about the benefits of many food items you had mentioned here. That too in reducing stress! That’s awesome. With this knowledge we can do our part for a stress free life
Indeed at times we are not aware about what we are eating is healthy or not and how does it affect our health.
This post has a wealth of information. For me the surprise food products were carrots and citrus. Never realized they can help relieve stress.
Yes at times we are not aware about the benefits of many food items. Like i didnt knw health benefits of dark chocolates and relished it anyways.
I do have Chamomile Tea and Chocolate every now and then and they do work their magic on me. Must pick up Citrus Fruits and Milk when stress hits me. Thanks for this informative post!
Yes chamomile tea is the most relaxing tea to have.
I can vouch for Chamomile tea and its calming effect it has on your nerves . But the other foods I was not aware off. Good read for me.
Yes at times we are not aware about the benefits like I didnt know earlier the benefits of dark chocolate but always relished it.
I indulge in dark chocolate a lot , but because i love it. Now I know it has stress relieving properties too.
I have shared these sometime back too dear and I know these really help. The more we share about these the better
Yes indeed.
I am happy that I do include many of the items in our routine, good to know about their relaxant properties through this post.
Wow that’s great. If we maintain a regular diet with healthy options, we can keep stress at bay.
People often turn to junk food when they’re stressed when healthy food is just as good at relieving it. Great options! I turn to dark chocolate and dry fruits at times too.
Yes some people go towards junk food but if we can make it healthy, why not.
A very good list. The chamomile tea and dark chocolate definitely helps me, but I will try the others as well.
I was not aware that fatty fish also relives from stress, shall prepare it over weekend. And happy to note that most of the items in the list are part of our routine that inturn keeps us balanced.
I loved the post. We need to include these foods in our diet due to or hectic lifestyle. I consume few of them & will start soon with remaining ones.
My life is pretty stressful right now, so I’ll definitely try a few options that you have suggested. Like always really impressed with your research.
I never thought some of the food items which you mentioned above is really helpful in relieving the stress. Thanks for sharing the informative article with us
This is helpful list, we are all stressed most days than not lately, and by adding these foods we can easily manage our health. I dont have these foods regularly, will need to change that now
This is helpful list, we are all stressed most days than not lately, and by adding these foods we can easily manage our health. I dont have these foods regularly, will need to change that now and include these.
this is a lovely list .. this dose of nutrition is needed. and i can vouch for dark chocolate ..it really uplifts the mood.. great post
This is so cool, I never knew foods could relieve stress too. Thanks for this insightful post Hansa!
Wow such an insightful blog post helpful as well .Will definitely try some of the items next time i feel stressed or low.
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