To Stress or Not to Stress with Food

Everyone experiences stress and anxiety from time to time or even on a daily basis! Unfortunately, we sometimes turn to alcohol and establish an unhealthy eating regime to feel numb to the real issues hoping they will go away.

Changing your eating regime and lifestyle can help many forms of anxiety, lift moods, reduce stress and the symptoms that go with it. With proper food and exercise, one can gain more energy, feel calmer and less stressed. Incorporate a healthy, nutrient-dense, whole foods regime with plenty of fresh vegetables and some fruits. Including foods that are rich in the B vitamins, such as nuts, green vegetables, eggs and low-mercury fish can help curb stress effects on the body.

Below is a partial list of foods to avoid and which foods to keep on your side when you are feeling anxious or stressed:

• Processed food
• Fast Food
• Preservatives: There are over 5000 chemical additives in commercial food processing. Our bodies are not equipped to handle these, and little is known about long term biological effects
• MSG should be avoided as it can have a major irritating effect on the nervous system producing the following: headaches, tingling, numbness and chest pains
• Reduce intake of sweet refined foods as these affect the blood sugar that can lead to anxiety and mood swings while also affecting how the brain functions:
• White bread   
• Chips, Corn
• Pastry
• Cakes
• Sugar
• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Cheese
• Caffeine to avoid stimulants

An anti-stress food regime may include the following foods:

• Avocado offers healthy fats
• Coconut yogurt offers healthy fats and probiotics
• Vegetables green leafy vegetables are nutrient-dense
• Poached Egg offers choline and protein
• Low Glycemic Index Fruit offers antioxidants to combat free radicals
• Sweet potato offers nutrient dense carbohydrate
• Sunflower seed butter offers minerals and healthy fat
• Garlic is a superfood
• Spinach offers folate
• Turkey contains trytophan and makes you feel relaxed
• Wild Salmon contains Omega-3 fatty acids that keep cortisol and adrenaline hormones balanced
• Walnuts and pistachios have been researched and studies show that these nuts lower blood pressure
• Apricots contain a natural muscle relaxant and help reduce stress
• Oranges regulate blood pressure and hormones levels     
• Drink lots of purified water  

Keep it organic whenever possible!

Your health is worth it because You are worth the investment of your time and energy.

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Tags: anti anxiety foods, stress