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10 Foods You Can Eat to Relive Stress
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Stress affects people in different ways. Some people lose their appetites while other find they are constantly hungry, or that they crave certain foods. Why is it when we are stressed that we crave those fatty or sugar filled junk foods, which only sabotages our diet and efforts at eating healthy?
Here is a list of 10 great foods that can feed our cravings without kicking our healthy eating habits to the curb.
1. Dark Chocolate
See? You don’t have to suffer when you are stressed, there is still chocolate! Dark chocolate, that is. Dark chocolate has magnesium and theobromine, both of which are a natural way to improve your mood.
Be sure you get a good source of organic, raw chocolate, and don’t go crazy eating pounds of it. Just an ounce or two should do the trick.
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2. Avocados and Bananas
Ok, so we put two of these together, but it’s because they both have one thing in common; potassium.
Potassium is vital to your body to keep your blood pressure low.
Avocados are also full of B vitamins, which are known to lower stress. Guacamole, anyone?
Read also about health benefits of eating avocado.
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3. Almonds, Pistachios, and Walnuts
Stress can make a big impact on your immune system.
Eating nuts can help improve your immune system with a multitude of vitamins such a B2 and E, as well as zinc.
Just a handful of raw, organic nuts every day will do the job.
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4. Sweet Potatoes
These tasty treats are full of fiber, antioxidants, beta carotene, and many other vitamins that not only fight inflammation but they give you an easy, peaceful feeling.
Try some baked with a drizzle of real maple syrup for a real pick me up.
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5. Blueberries
These little dark blue gems are actually low in sugar but they certainly don’t taste like it.
Packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, these are sure to kick stress out the door.
Blueberries are also among foods that reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
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6. Oatmeal
Oatmeal encourages your brain to make serotonin, that feel good hormone that gives you a feeling of peacefulness, even to the point of sleepiness sometimes.
Try it a few hours before bedtime instead of for breakfast.
Be sure you use the old fashioned type of oats which take longer to break down as this is easier for your pancreas to process.
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7. Yogurt
Yogurt is such a fantastic tasting probiotic, calcium rich way to eat your stress away.
The protein in yogurt, lactium, is calming to the mind and body. It can also lower blood pressure.
Be sure to use organic yogurt instead of those fat filled, over processed, sugar filled yogurts from the supermarket.
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8. Tea
When your nerves are really frazzled, calm them with a soothing cup of tea.
Studies done in England show that not only does tea calm your nerves, even just the simple act of putting the kettle on the stove is enough to begin the calming effect.
This study showed that those who drank tea then underwent a stressful type of exam were up to 25 percent more calm than those who drank only water.
Teas come in a variety of flavors. For a change, try chamomile, orange spice, or a ginger honey tea.
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9. Oranges
Why has orange juice been at the breakfast table for years?
It’s the vitamin C!
Vitamin C lowers blood pressure and reduces that stress hormone called cortisol.
You can eat an entire, organic fresh orange, or drink a glass of that freshly squeezed orange gold from your own organic oranges.
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10. Turkey
You’ve probably heard that after that turkey dinner you feel sleepy?
That applies to other times besides that Thanksgiving dinner!
Eat turkey and let the amino acid tryptophan that is found in turkey send that feel good chemical serotonin to the brain to make you feel peaceful and sleepy.
See also the foods that can ruin your good mood.
Sources:
Benjamin Hunter
Mar 3, 2015 at 5:22 pm
Now WHY would I want to RELIVE my stress? I lived it once and I didn’t enjoy it the first time.