Life has a way of getting the best of us some days. Whether it’s working too many hours,
shuffling your kids all over town for their activities, taking care of your
household, or dealing with personal or family matters, stress can take its toll
on you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But there are simple steps you can take to
combat stress, starting with the foods you eat.
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol is a good start when life’s
particularly stressful. Stimulants and
depressants like these can both zap your energy and rob you of the fuel you
need to successfully cope with tension.
Sugary foods should also be avoided as well, as they cause your blood
sugar levels to spike then dip rapidly, which can in turn make your energy
levels spike and dip at the same rate.
However, there are several superfoods out there that provide
you with the energy and nutrition your body needs to keep stress in check
Asparagus, which is high in folic acid, can help level out
your moods. Folic acid and vitamin B are key players in producing serotonin, a
chemical that gets you into a good mood.
And though we may hear negative things regarding red meat,
it’s actually a wise dinner option for a stressed-out family. Beef’s high
levels of iron, zinc and B vitamins not only help get you into a good mood, but
help you stay there as well. Your local
butcher can help you select lean cuts for the healthiest options
Milk really does a body good. Chock full of calcium, protein,
antioxidants, and vitamins B2 and B12, it helps strengthen bones and promotes
healthy cell regeneration. Paired with a
healthy whole-grain cereal choice in the morning, low-fat milk is a great way
to start your day and arm yourself to do battle with the stressors that await
you. Cottage cheese is also another
great dairy choice, and when coupled with a fruit that’s high in vitamin C, it
helps the body battle free radicals that run rampant during your most stressed
periods.
Almonds are also an awesome choice when it comes to arming
yourself against stress. They’re high in
magnesium, zinc, as well as vitamins B2, C, and E and unsaturated fats, all
which are great warriors against free radicals, which have been shown to cause
cancers and heart disease.
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