Food is a huge trigger to stress, and by eating the wrong foods – often due to feelings of stress – you are feeding the damaging and debiitating cycle it produces.
By Emma Bangay
Foods that trigger fatigue, blood pressure, sugar spikes, skin conditions and general stress include sugar, saturated fats, salt, processed foods and artificial additives.
Got it? Now, if we eliminate them and start afresh – quite literally – with these five foods to reduce stress we could all be on our way to more even-keeled moods.
Eat Raw
By eating raw enzyme rich foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, you are tapping into the epicentre of goodness as the heating process via cooking, grilling or steaming can strip foods of their nutrients. So when it comes to vegetables and fruits, keep them raw. Cut them into sticks and snack during the day, rather than waiting to roast them up in the evening meal. Green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, sprouts and fresh herbs have an awesome cleansing effect on the body – and when you are stressed – anything that can eliminate toxins is a good thing.
Eat Antioxidants
Looking older and more tired than you actually are? This could have more to do with your cuisine than your cosmetics as processed foods and sugars are literally poison to cells, so they can attack and slow collagen production and work against the bodies natural ability to strengthen itself. By eating antioxidants such as rich red berries and greens (again!) you can internally reduce the stress that becomes evident in the whites of your eyes, the pallor of your skin, under eye darkness and even the strength and gloss of nails and hair.
Eat Essential Fatty Acids
When fighting stress, fat is a good thing. Essential fatty acids that is. They are pivotal to the health of every living cell and when eaten in the form of fish, nuts, seeds, avocado and flaxseeds oil, have been proven to increase energy levels, strengthen and lengthen sleep patterns, improve physical and psychological wellbeing, boost relaxation and improve your ability to deal with stressful situations. How? Well EFA’s work directly with the nervous system, helping the body to increase a feeling of calmness.
Eat Selenium
Selenium – found in barley, full-grain bread, mushroom, chicken, tuna, garlic, tomatoes and Brazil Nuts – is a super-power when it comes to decreasing anxiety, increasing even moods and again, feeding the body with antioxidants. You can take Selenium in capsule form or as a daily snack to ensure an overall equalebrium everyday.
Eat Vitamins
Vitamins simply can’t be underestimated when it comes to reducing stress and boosting balance in the body. Vitamin B1 deficiency can become evident trough eratic mood swings and depression, so its’ important to ensure your diet is supplemented efficiently via a foods such as Brewers Yeast, liver, mackerel, kidneys, beef, all nuts and miso. Furthermore, Vitamin E is known to specifically benefit hormonal balance and Vitamin C is essential towards maintaining a healthy immune system, which can be attacked in times of pressure and stress.
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