10 stress-relieving superfoods to incorporate into your diet
Who said stress-eating had to be bad for you?
Here at Moodica, we know how easy it is to grab your favorite unhealthy comfort food when deadlines are piling up and the stress comes raining down, but processed foods loaded with fat and refined sugar only make us feel temporarily better. There are much better super foods you can reach for that actually give you long lasting stress-relief benefits. Here are 10 delicious ones you can start incorporating into your diets to begin seeing your anxiety diminish and your lethargy melt away.
- Berries
If stress makes you want to reach for something sweet, fresh berries, including blue berries, strawberries, and acai berries are your healthiest option. The vitamin C found in berries has been proven useful in combating stress, lowering blood pressure, and lowering levels of the anxiety-inducing cortisol. Berries also contain high amounts of antioxidants, which contribute to brain health.
2. Turkey
Turkey contains the calming amino acid L-tryptophan, which has been proven to release the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. Incorporating this lean meat into your diet can help you improve your mood and feel relaxed.
3. Fish
The Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish like tuna and salmon have been shown to reduce surges in stress hormones and protect against depression, so add this to your meals a couple times a week to boost your well being.
4. Nuts and Seeds
Another source of healthy fat, nuts and seeds like walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds reduce inflammation, protect your heart, reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes, and decrease stress levels.
5. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a healthy sources of carbohydrates that don’t cause your blood sugar levels to spike, which is a huge cause of becoming hangry and moody. You body is able to process the carbohydrates slowly thanks to the beta-carotene, vitamins, and fiber found in sweet potatoes.
6. Spinach
Spinach and other leafy greens are rich in magnesium. If your body is running low on this nutrient, you are likely to feel fatigued and experience headaches, so make sure to add the greens!
7. Avocados
Avocados not only are a great source of healthy fat, they also contain glutathione, lutein, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and folate, and B vitamins, which are all proven to improve and stabilize your mood.
8. Dark Chocolate
For those with a sweet tooth, eat a small amount of dark chocolate for dessert. Not only is it rich in antioxidants, but it also contain relaxing flavonoids and the mood-enhancing chemical phenethylamine. The darker the chocolate, the better!
9. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a natural mood enhancer that also boosts your energy levels. The healthy fats may help improve your brain and heart health.
10. Yogurt
Yogurt contains a lot of calcium, which can help manage your stress by strengthening and relaxing your nervous system. Studies also suggest that the probiotics in yogurt can aid in having a healthy gut, which has been linked to a reduction in brain activity in areas that handle stress.
BONUS: While enjoying your stress-relieving snack, kick up your feet and immerse yourself in a soothing video on Moodica!
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