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Most important is to revisit a simple thought- a famous one: “What you eat you become”, must have heard that? This is an important discussion to start with yourself, ask, “what are the foods that help you bust out stress?”. There’s physical stress and there’s mental stress. It is much more closely related than you think, actually.
Food is the determining factor of our relationship with mind and body health. Eating well – a well-balanced diet rich in vegetables and nutrients causes feelings of wellbeing. Do you know, we have Stress Reliving Foods?
Treat your body according to the way you want to be rewarded in return. Remember, there’s no perfect diet. Losing weight, fitness, bodybuilding to look alike, like your favorite film stars or celebrities, is not a great motivation to give yourself. You won’t be able to hold on to it, for long enough.
The idea is to develop a thought pattern, where eating foods that help you relieve stress will become your mantra. You won’t have to restart this process every day. You have to cultivate this within yourself to reach the fitness goal, without losing bone density, muscle mass, strength, we should age gracefully, right? So here are some best stress buster foods.
20 Best Foods That Relieve Stress To Include In Your Meal Planner
According to Matthew J. Kuchan, Ph. D., a senior research scientist at Abbott, “Eating a healthy diet can reduce the negative effects of stress on your body and build a solid, more enduring foundation for your body by reducing oxidation and inflammation and by helping to reduce weight gain.”
1.ARTICHOKES
I am sure once this fibrous ingredient containing Protein, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium and Zinc goes into your body would feel energetic and ready to have fitness goals. This is not a dream, it’s totally possible.
The main chemical it contains is fructooligosaccharides (FOSs), which helps in reducing stress levels. Other organic sources of FOS are asparagus and soybeans.
It also works towards weight loss, to prevent traveler’s diarrhea, and to treat high cholesterol levels and osteoporosis. They help the good bacteria grow and help in digestion. The prebiotics in artichokes should not be confused with probiotics, which are live organisms, like lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, and saccharomyces.
Daily Consumption: Having more than 30 gm of artichokes in a day, that’s unnecessary and your stomach will start aching.
Quickly: Why Artichokes?
- Anticancer Effects
- Helps Lower Blood Sugar
- Eases Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Improves Digestive Health
- Improves Liver Health
- Regulates Blood Pressure
- Lowers ‘Bad’ LDL Cholesterol and Increase ‘Good’ HDL Cholesterol
- Is Loaded With Nutrients
2. AVOCADO:
Stress may arise because of work pressure, erratic schedules, anxiety, hormones, anything. At that moment, making avocado toast is probably the easiest stress relieving healthy snack which will refresh your senses.
Avocados may make you gain weight. Although, stress relief can happen from seeing improvement in skin tone, make skin more radiant and balance natural oils, making these great vitamins for dry skin or acne.
Along with a healthy diet there are some activities you must cultivate in your daily life which ensure stress relief like mindful breathing, which can help lower blood pressure and heart rate, make a playlist and listen, take a quick walk outside in the sun, give yourself a hand massage, stretch. And there are many more things you can do.
Daily consumption: So the best thing is to stick to one-two avocados in a day at max.
Quickly: Why Avocados?
- Cell health,
- Growth of red blood cells,
- Energy levels,
- Good eyesight,
- Healthy brain function,
- Good digestion,
- Healthy appetite
- Helps in proper nerve function.
3. MATCHA POWDER:
Matcha also has caffeine (not as much as in a tablespoon of coffee). It is still much less jittery and gives more sustained energy boost – with no crash at the end. It is even better than green tea and also does accelerate weight loss. Excess of it can cause headache, insomnia, irritability, diarrhea, and heartburn in some people.
Daily Consumption: It is advised to have one cup (175 grams) of cooked Swiss chard in a day. So, one-two cups of matcha powder in a day is good.
Quickly: Why Matcha Powder?
- Anxiety and stress relief
- Increased focus
- Better immunity
- Blood pressure management
- Protecting body cells and molecules from damage
- Weight loss
- Organic skin treatment
4. SWISS CHARD:
You can make Swis chard sauté, steam or cook the stalks in a pan with water (1/2 cup per bunch) first, then add the leaves and cook. Don’t have Swiss Chard when it has wilted. People ask why Swiss Chard if there’s Spinach. Because Swiss chard contains magnesium, oxalic acids, potassium, iron, calcium, iodine and helps in stress relief.
It is well known that low levels of minerals are associated with conditions like anxiety and panic attacks. It contains 36% of the recommended intake for magnesium, which plays an important role in your body’s stress response.
Daily Consumption: It is advised to have one cup (175 grams) of cooked Swiss chard in a day.
Quickly: Why Swiss Chard
- Packed With Disease-Fighting Antioxidants.
- Contains magnesium.
- Loaded With Fiber
- Excellent Source of Vitamin K
- Benefits Heart Health
- May Decrease Insulin Resistance and Lower Blood Sugar
- May Promote Weight Loss.
5. FATTY FISH
Although, a new research in University of East Anglia shows Omega-3 fats have no effect on stress and anxiety. But some of the fatty fish do aid moods and mental disorders because it contains long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Salmon, trouts, sardine, tuna and mackerels are great fatty fish to eat to release anxiety and stress. According to the American Heart Association (AHA) one should consume at least two dishes of oily fish in a week. According to the National Health Service United Kingdom 140kg of oily fish in a week is best. Herrings, oysters, caviar, cod liver oil, and anchovies are also great sources of fatty fish for stress relief.
Daily Consumption: In one day you can have 200–2,200 mg of any fatty fish you like.
Quickly: Why Fatty Fish
- Lowers risk of heart disease,
- Improves mental ability
- Gives protection from cancer
- Protects us from alcohol-related dementia
- Get protection from rheumatoid arthritis
- Is a great addition in a weight loss meal plan
6. WHOLE-WHEAT PRETZELS:
You will be surprised that these carbs are going to give you an energy boost that triggers the brain to release the feel-good chemical called serotonin. These also provide extra fiber. And, experts also say that munching on crunchy foods help beat stress.
Whole-wheat pretzels contain magnesium and tryptophan which are definitely much healthier than refined flour ones. It has a pleasant cracker-like flavor, it is crisp, brittle in texture and has a brown glossy surface color and salt crystals sprinkled on its surface. It is the salt which gives you sodium and makes the stress and anxiety go away.
Daily Consumption: Having 10 pretzels can contribute to more than half of the 1.5 grams of sodium a person needs each day.
Quickly: Why Whole-wheat pretzels?
- Improves bowel activity
- Magnesium in whole-wheat pretzels aids diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Can be made at home with all purpose flour
- Each pretzel has only 12.3 grams of fats
- Your blood sugar to rise quickly
- Unsalted pretzels are super healthy
7. YOGURT:
According to some recent studies high consumption of whole-fat yogurt was related to a lower risk (-22%) of depression in women. Also, it is widely researched that fermented products improve host metabolism by stimulating glucose and energy homeostasis, regulating immune responses and epithelial cell growth, and also supporting the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous systems by reducing activity in the emotional region of the brain.
Daily Consumption: Eating probiotic-rich yogurt twice a day for a month could help relieve anxiety and stress.
Quickly: Why Yogurt For Stress Relief?
- Increase metabolism
- Contains microorganisms which restores gut flora
- Supports functioning of nervous system
- Makes you active
- Cools you down
- Comes in many varieties
- Can be made at home
8. PISTACHIOS
When we are stressed, blood pressure is high and arteries get constricted and reduces blood flow throughout our body for which -yoga and pistachios. This will perhaps help improve your blood vessels and lower your blood pressure by dilating your arteries, making things easier on your heart. It has vitamin B6 and thiamine. Pistachios will open the arteries and improve blood flow. Good blood circulation is important for stress relief.
You can add plain unsalted pistachios to any number of foods, have it as midnight snacks, add it in yogurt for double benefits, oatmeal pistachios sound great. Just remember to not keep eating it for lunch. You have to be able to tell when to stop. Pistachios are now a near extinct precious fruit.
Daily Consumption: Without worrying too much you can have 1-2 handfuls or 1.5 to 3 ounces of pistachios per day.
Quickly: Why Pistachios for Stress Relief?
- Contains unsaturated fatty acids and potassium (helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions and nerve signals).
- Keep blood sugar and cholesterol in check
- Has fibre, minerals and good fats
- Nutritious snacking aids the good gut bacteria
9. TURKEY BREAST:
Majority of turkey foods are vegetable-based and include green beans, artichokes and of course, eggplants. We know that turkey is white meat and has slightly less saturated fat, it is Super-lean, lower in fat and when it is skinless and boneless, it’s breast is leanest.
It also contains iron, zinc, phosphorus, potassium and B vitamins.
Daily Consumption: A serving of turkey is a 2 to 3-ounce cooked portion.
Quickly: Why Turkey Breast for Stress Relief?
- Contains tryptophan which gives a soothing effect
- Great dinner time meal in parties and otherwise
- Children love it
- Simple to cook
- Regulates sleep
10. KOMBUCHA
But it is true that kombucha contains vitamins B1 (thiamine), B6, and B12, all of which are known to help the body fight depression, stabilize mood, and improve concentration. It also contains vitamin C, which suppresses release of cortisols (stress hormone).
Kombucha regained popularity following a 1960s study in Switzerland after World War II. Comparing its health benefits to those of yogurt and other tea kombucha most meaningfully gained popularity in domestic markets in the 1990s. It is a viable option for summers to make health mocktails or cocktails.
Daily Consumption: Limit your intake to one to two 8-ounce (240-ml) servings per day.
Quickly: Why Kombucha for Stress Relief:
- Contains Vitamin C suppresses stress hormone cortisol
- Thiamine controls nerve, muscle, and heart function.
- Prevents hair loss
- Fights depression
- Improves mind’s concentration
11. GREEN COFFEE:
It prevents weight gain, inhibiting development of liver steatosis, and blocking insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet.
Daily Consumption: Doses of up to 400 mg of the extract twice per day.
Quickly: Why Green Coffee for Stress Relief?
- Reduces blood pressure
- Boosts metabolism
- Weight Loss
- Regulates blood sugar
- Reduces sugar absorption
- Slows down the aging process
- Fights against harmful free radicals that can cause damage to DNA and other parts of human cells
12. KALE SALAD:
It is considered to be a leafy nutrition superstar due to the amounts of vitamins A, K, B6 and C, calcium, potassium, copper and manganese it contains. One cup raw kale has 33 calories and only 7 grams of carbohydrate.
Your happiness levels will boost if you have kale salad for dinner. All you need is olive oil, kale and salt. It is rich in folate, which helps your body produce mood-regulating neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. This is what most antidepressants focus on as well.
Daily Consumption: One and ½ (half) cups a few times a week.
Quickly: Why Kale For Stress Relief?
- Contains powerful antioxidants Like quercetin and kaempferol prevents damage by free radicals
- Helps lower cholesterol
- Cancer-fighting qualities
- Has beta-carotene Vitamin A
- High in Lutein and Zeaxanthin which protects your eyes
- Weight loss
13. FRUIT CAKE:
All said, a new study by American Association for the Advancement of Science has been published that is consistent with this revised approach. It showed that patients who increased their daily sugar intake (in the form of fruit cake) but maintained a stable body weight, showed no adverse changes in their blood glucose. Carrot cake also has a lot of vitamin A, which is great for your eyes’ vision. I’ll just like to add, you can do the same with apples, bananas, strawberries, oranges.
For stress relief, a vitamin A agent is not a bad idea. We can’t only have vitamin K and B12, C, Or E, and magnesium, we need other vitamins and minerals and carb based diet to have a balanced deal. If you are very conscious of your weight then add more fruits, less sugar (or add sugarfree) and cream cheese and mix in wholemeal flour. If you don’t want to, have this on the “cheat day”.
Daily Consumption: One slice of the whole
Quickly: Why Fruit Cake For Stress Relief?
- Baking makes you relieve stress
- Home-made fruit cakes are better than processed fruit cakes from the market
- Has beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants
- Improve sperm quality and motility
- Great for sugar cravings
- Integral part of a detoxifying diet
14. DARK CHOCOLATE BABKA
And babka is a sweet braided cake or bread which originated in the Jewish communities of Poland and Ukraine. These two things together make it an awesome moreish stress-free reliever. You can give this to people to get togethers as gifts too. And it is totally healthy too. It mixes spirituality with fitness regime. Bake for relieving stress. Some kind of cooking activity always helps. And giving it to the needy is a great idea during this COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of people are dying of hunger. Start from your own community.
Daily Consumption: One slice for breakfast
Quickly: Why Dark Chocolate Babka for Stress Relief?
- Increases patience
- Baking is a good exercise for the depressed and anxious
- Baking and distributing dark chocolate babkas to the needy in COVID-19
- It has health benefits like reducing fight and flight hormones which keep you up all night
- Adds more to your balanced diet during a strict fitness regime
15. OATMEAL
You can also add berries, bananas and apples to your oatmeal to fill yourself for a long day in case you will be travelling and will not get time for lunch. It is a great breakfast idea. Sometimes, people also cook oats by soaking it in water and then frying it with vegetables in olive oil, salt and pepper.
Oats contain fiber which aids chronic constipation issues. Consuming oats every morning will be helpful. Oats are very low in calories and have only 1.5 grams of fat. Instant oatmeals like Quaker oats are not as good as it gets a bad wrap. It has more sugar and less vitamins, protein and cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber.
Daily Consumption: One cup (81 grams) of dry oats.
Quickly: Why Oatmeals For Stress Relief?
- The antioxidants in it have anti-inflammatory properties to help treat dry skin and remove dead skin cells.
- Contains huge doses of B vitamins, magnesium and fibre
- Warm oatmeal boosts levels of serotonin which is a calming brain chemical.
- Can also cut down levels of cortisol and adrenaline induced stress
- Oats are good sources of the amino acid tryptophan which helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
16. MUSHROOM WHOLE-WHEAT QUICHE
Wheat has so many varieties including durum, spelt, emmer, einkorn and khorasan. It is one of those cereals, or in fact, the only one that contains gluten forming proteins, called gliadins and glutenins which makes it visco-elastic for you to add your stir fry mushrooms and vegetables (proteins) to it, thereby making and baking a whole wheat mushroom dough.
Research shows that reishi mushroom has been used to help enhance the immune system, reduce stress, improve sleep, and lessen fatigue. People also take reishi mushrooms for health conditions such as: High blood pressure. High cholesterol.In the same way lion’s mane and cordyceps improves brain function and calms mental activity, increases resistance to stress and reduces anxiety.
Daily Consumption: One serving on a cheat day
Quickly: Why Whole Wheat Mushroom Quiche
- Hearty vegetable and mushroom proteins
- Stress reducing nutrients.
- Reishi mushrooms contain hallucinogenic properties called psilocybin and psilocin, a psychedelic drug that targets the serotonin receptors.
- Some lion’s mane extract is good for people suffering from ulcerative colitis.
- Great aid to alleviating anxiety and prevents jaw clenching
17. CUCUMBER WASABI MOCKTAIL:
If you add nutritious ingredients to it like pieces of fresh fruit or vegetables, herbs, coconut water or kombucha it would add further benefits to it. This is one of those picks you can “go nuts” with. Depending on what you add to this, the consistency would obviously change, and that way, you can also make this into a dip to have with boiled chicken strips or vegetable salad.
Wasabi contains beta carotene, glucosinolates, and isothiocyanates has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. They have the ability to promote fat loss, as well as bone and brain health. Without alcohol and only using sparkling water or plain soda will be great on a summer’s day.
Daily Consumption: One glass in a day without alcohol and once a month (if with alcohol)
Quickly: Why Cucumber Wasabi Mocktail For Stress Relief
- Promotes fat loss
- Improves brain health
- Relief from panic attacks
- Served in various styles
- Raw and organic food
- Improves bone health
18. PINK GINGER ALE
Ginger ale has ascorbic acid (vitamin c), citric acid, sodium benzoate which helps it remain fresh for a long period of time. It is a carbonated beverage made with ginger root and a sweetener such as sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or a low calorie sweetener. Artificial sweeteners marrs the whole point of “stress-relief” foods, so don’t do that.
On the other hand it is proven that ginger can aid in pain relief, including stress headaches. It contains the antioxidant gingerol, which exhibits antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties, and fights chemicals in our bodies that lead to psychological and physical stress.
Researchers say drinking ginger ale can sharpen your brain and beat stress. Recent animal studies have also indicated that ginger can influence serotonin levels and may treat and reduce anxiety as successfully as benzodiazepine drugs. It is not to be taken every day because it has sugar.
Daily Consumption: One glass or jar in a day
Quickly: Why Pink Ginger Ale For Stress Relief
- Treats and reduces anxiety as successfully as benzodiazepine drug
- Combats oxidation damage to cells.
- Plays a huge role in our body in 6-shogaol-mediated ER stress and anti tumorigenesis.
- Natural and herbal
- Ginger root is effective at alleviating feelings of nausea and vomiting
- Best fluid to keep you hydrated
19. KIMCHI
It is actually a side dish side dish made of fermented and salted Napa cabbage and radish. It is a probiotic powerhouse which blasts in your mouth. Wickedly sour and crazy spicy — and pungent. They are tangy, salty, spicy fermented cabbage that’s packed with flavor and umami funk. Because it’s naturally fermented.
Research shows that fermented foods may help reduce stress and anxiety. Also helps in mitigating Helicobacter pylori-associated endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress and autophagy. It has Beta-Galactosidase hydrolyzes lactose into glucose and galactose, which is helpful for relieving lactose intolerance.
Daily consumption: Side dish with carbs and whole foods like chicken or turkey breast
Quickly: Why Kimchi For Stress Relief?
- Less social anxiety
- Improves gastrointestinal health
- Attenuates cortisol levels (stress hormone) without affecting attention
- Adequate amounts aid gut microbiota and responds positively to neuro-inflammation
- Great additive in a ketogenic diet
- Naturally fermented organic food
20. BRAZIL NUTS:
Stress-relief foods are so many it is difficult to spot on. But Brazil nuts are for those who calculate every calorie that goes into their bodies. When you overeat, binge-eat it is actually called stress eating. We do it unconsciously actually. That is why interval snacking or snacking every few hours (three hours) is advised by most nutritionists and dieticians to normal healthy individuals.
Brazil nuts are energy dense stress-relief foods rich in healthy fats, selenium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, manganese, thiamine, and vitamin E. And Selenium may also improve mood by reducing inflammation, which is often at heightened levels when someone has a mood disorder, such as anxiety. Further research shows it is also good for anxiolytic (antipanic) activity, memory preservation and oxidative stress in the brain.
Daily Consumption: Two-three brazil nuts in a day.
Quickly: Why Brazil Nuts For Stress Relief
- Selenium improves mood disorder
- Contains anti-panic chemicals
- Helps memory preservation
- Low in fats
- Good for skin glow
- Good midnight snack
Conclusion
Foods to reduce anxiety don’t show results within five minutes but they have long-term effects and benefits. Foods you eat will make your body stronger and help you deal with anxiety and stress issues in your life and help others too. Choose these Stress Reliving Foods which will help them even.
If you have anxiety disorder- that is different – then you may need cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or also medications. Do consult a psychiatrist or psychologist with whom you can talk to. However, the healthy best foods for stress relief are needless to be added to your diet starting now. They help you in a million ways. You will never feel toxic and see a tremendous transformation in 2-3 weeks of following a balanced healthy diet that is complementing your lifestyle.