6 Healthy Foods That Can Actually Reduce Stress

The general belief goes that it is usually an external factor that drives people towards a stressful life. The reality however is, that getting stressed is your mind and body's reaction towards that external factor.

Just like it is up to you to be optimistic or pessimistic about an uncertain situation, the same goes for stress. Why then the statistics of stressed Americans stand at a startling 73%? Surely they are not all cynics, could it be that how a person react to stress is brought about by factors not entirely concerned with will power and optimism?

One of the often overlooked causes of stress is wrong diet, and considering that the rate o

f obesity is increasing upward along with the number of stressed people in America, there most definitely is a link between the two. Eating junk food regularly deprive the body of essential nutrients and vitamins. Also, eating rich food high in fat and carbohydrate stimulates the cortisol or stress hormones to crave more of such food when they you are stressed. This is where the concept of comfort and binge eating springs from.

Since, food is an essential component for a stress-free life, here's taking a look at the various food items that help to take control of and better manage a stressful situation. Remember the idea here is to tap into the properties of calming food and not 'comfort' food.

Vitamin C- Look for foods that are brimming with Vitamin C, as this type of Vitamin directly brings down the cortisol level. Additionally, Vitamin C has been proven good for the immune system too. Oranges, Broccoli, Guava, Kiwi, and herbs like thyme and parsley are the highest carriers of Vitamin C.

Vitamin B12- There are several neurotransmitters running through the body, one such neurotransmitter GABA produces instant calming effect. Having food rich in Vitamin B12 help to produce GABA and hence reduces stress. Chicken, salmon, and fat-free milk and yogurt are rich in B12

Magnesium- Magnesium helps in the production of GABA. Whenever you are stressed, your magnesium level tends to drop low leading to a reduction in the formation of GABA. Having food rich in magnesium, like spinach, tofu, almonds, and sunflower will give a boost to the nervous system and trigger the production of both GABA and dopamine (the feel good hormones).

Folic Acid- If pregnancy is the cause of your stress; you need to up your intake of folic acid. Folate helps in the production of dopamine and keeps you satiated for a longer period of time. Chickpeas, asparagus, lentils, leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are good sources of folic acid.

Antioxidants- Antioxidants are known to dismutase certain enzymes to lower the level of stress and anxiety. Blueberries, bananas, beans, and green tea are the storehouse of antioxidants.

Zinc- In a study conducted, it was found that a lack of zinc can make a person prone to stress and anxiety. Nuts, including cashew, peanuts, walnuts, and almonds are rich in Zinc and make for healthy snacking options too.

Next time, keep a tab on your diet and notice a change in your stress level.

My name is Mulyadi Kurnia. I am a practitioner of meditation and yoga and has been experiencing the benefits of the practices. Having gone through the periods of stress and anxiety myself, I know first hand of how unpleasant this experience could be. Through this article, I intend to share my knowledge and experience on stress-related topics. For more information on stress management tips,

Read more »

Healthy Foods To Eat For A Healthy You

We all know that in order to be fit, we need to eat healthy foods. Yet, with all the different choices available in the market, sometimes it could be hard to choose which the healthy foods to eat are. Below are some of the foods you must eat if you want to enjoy good taste and obtain optimum nutrition.

Coconut

Coconut is not just good to eat when you are stranded on a tropical island, just like what are depicted in films. Coconuts offer carbohydrates and fats, which are also needed by the body to stay healthy. Coconut oil can help lower heart disease rate. Also, coconut oil also provides lauric acid that aids the immune system in fighting infections from viruses and bacteria. What is also great about coconut is that no part of the fruit or of the tree goes to waste because they can also be used appropriately.

Fish

Fish, particularly the saltwater kinds are the healthiest sources of protein. Unlike cattle that are fed with foods grown with artificial fertilizers, fish feed on minerals contained in water, such as iodine. Plus, fish also contains omega-3. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that the body cannot produce or effectively convert; but is required by the body in order to function well. Omega-3 helps ease inflammation present in the body. The best fish to eat are, of course, those that are fresh.

Kelp

Kelp is an algae or large seaweed that contains great amounts of potassium. Apparently, kelp offers more than potassium because it also contains substantial amounts of protein, iodine, magnesium and other types of minerals at amounts greater than those contained in many vegetables grown on land. You can also obtain EPA, a kind omega-3 fatty acid, from kelp.

Mushroom

This is a kind of food that is so versatile you can add it in stews, soups and even salads. Mushrooms grow in rich and organic substance. They can offer protein and iron and a lot of other nutrients. Eating mushrooms can help boost your immunity to diseases and infections. Furthermore, mushrooms have been used in many clinical and laboratory studies because experts say that there are compounds contained in mushrooms that can aid in the fight against breast cancer. If possible, always ensure that what you are buying are mushrooms that are grown organically.

Watercress

Watercress is an excellent source of iron and it contains more iron than the spinach. Also, powerful antioxidants are also contained in watercress that can support the fight against lung and breast cancer. Only about three ounces of watercress in one day can already improve the levels of specific antioxidants in the body. While you might not usually find watercress in the market, perhaps you could consider growing them on your own via hydroponic gardening so you could ensure that you will eat watercress that is free from synthetic fertilizers and plant chemicals.

Honey

This is a food that will never get spoiled despite many years in pr

oper storage. Natural honey has hormone-like properties that make it an excellent addition to your diet. Instead of using refined sugar, use honey to sweeten your foods and drinks. Honey contains antioxidants. It can also be used as natural wound antiseptic. Phytoestrogen is even found in Greek honey that dampens breast, endometrial and prostate cancer growth.

Read more »