Stressed Out? These Food Ingredients Would Help

Stressed Out? These Food Ingredients Would Help

Living in the 21^st century can sometimes be quite stressful. With all the humdrum of daily routine and loads of multi-tasking, one feels cramped and exhausted at the end of the day. Stress has indeed become part and parcel of living in recent times, even when you plan on defeating this stubborn enemy daily. We all suffer equally from stress. So besides many cures sought by us, one should try to cure stress by food’s way!

Add food ingredients that can help reduce level of stress and help build mental and physical well being. Here is your stress busting armory! Grab it and enjoy.

1- Vitamin C helps lower stress hormone cortisol and keeps the blood pressure in control. Some of the vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C are Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, oranges, guava, cantaloupe, Red sweet pepper, green sweet pepper, kiwi, grape fruit, strawberries, parsley, broccoli, persimmon, spinach, cabbage and cauliflower. Foods and juices made from these vegetables and fruits make great stress busters. Add these in your daily food intake and see the magic of food ingredients!

2- Foods with high amount of vitamin B make great stress releasers. It helps in smooth functioning of nervous tissues thereby decreasing any harmful effects of stress. To fulfill your daily dose of this stress buster, add following in your diet: yogurt, avocado, whole grains, banana, potatoes, beans, lentils, nutritional yeast and brewer’s yeast.

3- Folic acid is another nutrient that helps build the body towards fighting stress. It works as natural mood brightener. Many vegetables are high source of folic acid. Some of them include: asparagus, spinach, mustard greens, turnip, collard, lettuce, broccoli, okra, cauliflower, beets, carrots and all citrus fruits.

4- Omega-3 fatty acids not only work as stress releasers, they also help our bodies by reducing inflammation, prevent too much blood clotting and lower the cholesterol in blood. Foods that you may refer to for this nutrient include: flax seeds, walnuts, salmon, sardines, soybeans, scallops, shrimps, tofu, tuna, collard greens and winter squash.

5- Carbohydrates help increase the level of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone which is related to regulation of mood, sleep and learning. Its certain level in our body affects mood. Therefore, adding a certain amount of carbohydrates in your foods can help you soothe your mood. For this purpose you may need to eat more of these: whole grains, breads and oatmeal in your breakfast can set the mood for rest of the day, However, Brown rice, potatoes, Berries, banana and yogurt are some of the ingredients for your stress busting foods. Add them on!

6- A good amount of calcium and magnesium intake is indeed the best one can do to curb stress. Calcium helps in reducing irritability and nervousness. It also helps in releasing premenstrual stress disorder. On the hand, magnesium keeps adrenals in check and retains nerve cell fluidity to respond. Some of the foods that can provide with calcium and magnesium sufficiency are: Milk, almonds, cashews, soybeans, yogurt, leafy vegetables, sesame seeds, legumes and whole grains.

So, with all the ingredients at your disposal, now is the time to get going. Here experimentation is the key to success. Take fruits and vegetables and invent your own favorite recipes to bust stress. However to get 100% results, don’t overcook your ingredients.