5 Stress-Reducing And Body-Nourishing Foods

Stress can cause you to reach for food—and you’ll likely get the wrong foods and overeat them. Stress, for many people, increases their appetite, turning them into a ravenous and desperate monster. However, some foods can help with managing stress. Yes, you can eat good, healthy foods to help you relax and unwind when you’re stressed. Here are some foods that can help you reduce stress while nourishing your body.

Herbal tea

Herbal tea can help with both stress reduction and stress elimination. Adaptogens in herbs, for the most part, help your body adapt to stress and work with your body to find the perfect balance for you. Some of it aids in relaxation, others in sleep, and prevents headaches. Herbal tea contains various nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which help to calm your mind and brighten your mood. Herbal teas also contain essential oils, which are known to reduce anxiety. Furthermore, these warm herbal teas improve blood circulation and the detoxification process in your body, which enhances your mood overall.

Turkey

It contains a lot of tryptophan, an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and stress relief, whereas melatonin is a hormone that promotes sleep. Tryptophan has been shown in studies to reduce anxiety and improve sleep, even at doses as low as 250 mg—the amount found in just one serving of turkey. Turkey is also high in high-quality protein, which helps to reduce blood sugar spikes and boost energy. Edamame, kidney beans, white beans, peanuts, and tofu are vegan protein and tryptophan sources.

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate improves mood and relieves stress. When your body’s sugar levels fall below a certain level, you become irritated, and your mind begins to stress. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, an antioxidant that helps improve insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and overall mood. According to studies, eating 40g of dark chocolate per day will keep you happy and stress-free.

Seafood

You can reduce stress and help prevent heart disease by including seafood on your plate. Fatty fish, in particular, is a good choice because they are heart-healthy, and omega-3 fatty acids may help with depression because the nutrients easily interact with mood-related brain molecules. Tuna, halibut, salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, and lake trout are just a few examples of fatty fish. If you don’t like fish, try seaweed, chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, and fortified foods like certain brands of eggs, milk, soy milk, and nut milk.

Fruits and leafy vegetables

Among the many benefits of fruits, one of the most important is that eating seasonal fruits helps to relieve stress. Fruits, notably those high in citric acid, will assist you in combating stress. They contain flavonoids and other essential vitamins and nutrients that your mind requires to function accurately. Aside from fruits, you must eat plenty of green leafy vegetables to keep your mind sharp and improve your ability to deal with stressful situations. As a result, including seasonal fruits and leafy vegetables in your diet helps reduce stress and increase energy.