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10 Best Stress Reducing Foods

By Diane Hanson

Do you eat to reduce stress? And, do you find yourself gorging on food when you are angry, upset or under pressure? Stress eating or emotional eating can lead to many stress-related symptoms, but munching on these foods can help you reduce stress fast and feel relaxed without adding to your waistline.

What Foods Relieve Stress?

1. Oranges

Researchers found that Vitamin C helps relieve stress by returning blood pressure and cortisol (a chemical produced by the body when you are under stress) to normal levels after a stressful situation. Vitamin C is also an excellent immune system booster.

2. Sweet Potatoes

If you indulge in carbohydrate-rich foods such as chips or chocolates when dealing with bad situations, reach for sweet potatoes instead. Sweet potatoes can satisfy the urge to snack and naturally relieve stress with its beta-carotene, Vitamins, and fiber content. These nutrients help your body to process carbohydrates slowly and steadily.

3. Turkey

L-tryptophan, an amino acid, which is found in turkey triggers the release of serotonin. Serotonin is a type of chemical that maintains “a happy feeling”. It helps you to unwind and relax so you sleep better. L-Tryptophan, in substantial amounts, has a calming effect.

4. Spinach

If you lack magnesium, you are likely to feel tired and have migraine headaches. Spinach provides you with 40% of your daily needs for magnesium, in just one cup.

5. Apricots

Just like spinach, apricots are loaded with magnesium. Eating apricots, whether fresh or dried, is stress-reducing and also a natural way to relax tensed muscles.

6. Salmon

Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, salmon not only protects you against heart disease, it can also keep the stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) in check. You can take omega-3 supplements, if you don’t like the fishy taste of salmon.

7. Avocados

Avocado contains monounsaturated fats and potassium that help lower blood pressure. Stress raises your blood pressure, which can lead to serious heart problems. Potassium is known as one of the best foods to lower blood pressure naturally. Surprisingly, avocados contain more potassium than bananas.

8. Almonds, Pistachios and Walnuts

Almonds are loaded with Vitamins B and E, which help boost your immune system while walnuts and pistachios are great for reducing blood pressure.

9. Dark Green Vegetables

Dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale, collards, Swiss chard and romaine lettuce are good sources of many Vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy in stressful situations.

10. Apples, Pomegranates and Pineapples

These fruits are rich sources of histidine, an amino acid that can help reduce stress.

Stress affects everyone, but consuming the above stress-busting foods on a regular basis can help you better manage high levels of stress while improving your general health.

Also, include regular exercise and eat small frequent meals to keep blood sugar stable. Healthy blood sugar levels reduce stress so you will feel better physically and emotionally.

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