Superfoods for stress relief.
Most important, You are what you eat’, the slogan was made famous by Gillian McKeith in her BBC programme, years ago. She was demonstrating how healthy food makes people healthy and vice versa. It made me wonder if there is stress-reducing food around that makes people less stressed. And I discovered that any food with a lot of antioxidants helps reduce stress. In addition, Nutritionists have come up with a top 7 of stress-reducing superfoods, which all are high in anti-oxidants.
Top 7 stress-reducing superfoods
1. Fruit
Wild Blueberries: One of the top sources of antioxidants in the fruit world and one of the only naturally blue foods, packing these little fruits are with nutrients to help your body defend against inflammation and as inflammation causes stress, it will help reduce stress. Find frozen wild blueberries in the freezer section and add them to yoghurt, oatmeal, muffins, salads and side dishes.
2. Vegetables
Broccoli, Asparagus, Avocado, Kale and Brussels Sprouts are all excellent sources of antioxidants (and more goodness). There are great variations of preparing, such as broccoli houmous or kale chips.
3. Grains
Quinoa is a grain-like crop grown with edible seeds and offers high-quality protein and fibre. The rice-like granules contain ample magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin E, riboflavin and more iron than true grains. You can eat it instead of rice but also works as a salad.
4. Dairy
Non-Fat Greek Yogurt: Provides double the protein of most regular yoghurts. Also an excellent source of calcium and loaded with friendly bacteria (the probiotics which promote good digestion and boost immunity)
5. Beans
Edamame (green soybeans): low in fat, no cholesterol, and high in folate, potassium, iron and magnesium. As this is the only complete protein found in the plant world, edamame is a great substitute for meat.
6. Protein
Salmon: the highest quality of omega-3 content, protective against inflammation.
Turkey promotes the production of serotonin, a ‘stress-eating’ hormone.
7. Super Spice
Basil contains essential oils that function as potent anti-inflammatory agents.
In addition, Turmeric contains high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Eat your stress away might be impossible, but every little helps so choosing the above products on a regular basis might help you to keep your stress levels under control.
We are basing this article on an article published in the past in Austin Daily Herald, posted by Jen Haugen, April 2012
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