Foods that fight stress

One of the most frustrating things about stress is that it affects cravings in a big way. It’s obvious that most people don’t go for spinach or brussels sprouts when they are stressed. When life gets challenging, it is way too easy to overeat or eat unhealthy foods. The problem is that a moment of pleasure and comfort gives way to irritability, negative emotions, poor decisions, extra pounds, lack of energy, and a boat load of other unintended consequences.  Although everything inside of you makes you want to reach for your favorite candy bar, ice cream, or chips, it is like throwing gas on a  fire and can be dangerous to your health.  Tasty foods packed with sugar, synthetic ingredients, colors, flavorings, and preservatives put a great deal of added stress on the body.  Although there is no diet or food that cures stress and anxiety in and of itself, certain foods can go a long way towards relieving tension, stabilizing blood sugars, and restoring energy.  Foods that boost resilience, health promoting hormones, essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are critical for optimal function of the brain and nervous system.

Try the following foods to restore calm, strength, and energy: 

• cold water fish (salmon, tuna, trout, herring, sardines, cod) 
• avocados
• bananas
• spinach
• asparagus 
• blueberries
• eggs
• turkey
• beans
• chamomile tea
• green tea
• almonds, walnuts, cashews 
• flaxseed
• pumpkin seeds