Stress Fighting Foods

In our world of pinging inboxes, ringing phones, and rising prices, stress is just a part of life. Unfortunately, though, it comes with some nasty side effects. A 2008 British study found that stressed-out people are 54 percent more likely to suffer heart attacks and stroke. And more research shows that stress spikes levels of the hormone cortisol, which tells your body to store fat.  In other words, the more stressed you are the more likely you are to gain weight. But only if you’re eating the wrong foods or ones that are notoriously high in processed carbs unhealthy fat and preservatives. The RIGHT foods, on the other hand, may not only relieve stress, but they can also help you lost weight. Leafy green vegetables, almonds and low-fat cottage cheese are 3 stress-fighting foods that you can easily squeeze into your diet. Leafy greens such as arugala, chard and spinach are rich in the B vitamins that help produce feel-good hormones in your brain. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing found that a LACK of vitamin B6 can cause nervousness, irritability, even depression. Crunching on a serving of almonds can obviously help relieve that stress that builds up in your jaw, but it’s the vitamins you’re sinking your teeth into, that really do the trick. Almonds are packed with vitamins B and E, as well as magnesium, zinc, and the hormone serotonin. Stress hormones can deplete your body’s supply of magnesium, reducing your ability to cope with everyday pressures. So eating almonds can help settle your nerves. For a cold stress-fighting snack, combine berries with a half-cup of low-fat cottage cheese. The protein and calcium in cottage cheese will keep you feeling full, and the vitamin C from the berries act as antioxidants. Not to mention, a half-cup of low-fat cottage cheese is only 79 calories. Now while you’re adding these stress-fighting foods into your diet, you may also want to cut back on foods that may tend to cause stress and weight gain like Sugar, caffeine and alcohol. A can of soda might seem like a good idea when you’re stressed, but a study from the American Journal of Public Health found that people who drink 2 and a half cans of soda a day are THREE TIMES more likely to be depressed and anxious when compared to those who drink less. Remember, living a stress-free life is as easy as eating a spinach and almond salad for lunch. To learn more about how nutrient-rich foods can improve every part of your body, check out other videos in this series.