Did you know that making a few changes to your diet can help you beat the stress you experience at home and at work? When you eat junk foods, you don’t feel as great about yourself. Foods that are high in sugar and junk carbs can leave you feeling bloated and tired, which will make stress even worse. Choosing the right foods can improve your general health and leave you smiling when you encounter stress. You can even toss in a supplement to battle stress in two different ways as you eat and snack. Whole foods are the best ways to get what you need for health but supplementation can cover nutritional gaps.
Avocado
Filled with healthy fats, natural vitamins, and minerals that can help reduce stress, avocado can help you feel better about yourself as a meal. A hot trend among foodies today is avocado toast, which is really just mashed avocado and some spices served on a piece of toast. You can peel and slice avocados before adding to a salad or a sandwich too, or you can mix mashed avocado with some spices, tomatoes, onions and jalapenos for a quick guacamole. There are even some great recipes for making desserts from avocado like a chocolate pudding that is healthier for you.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are an incredibly versatile vegetable that you can use in dozens of different ways to naturally deal with stress. Try dicing the veggies into chunks, mixing with some salt, pepper, garlic powder and olive oil and then roasting in the oven until tender. Many authentic Indian curries call for sweet potatoes that are perfect for a meatless Monday. You can also bake your potatoes in the microwave. Poke a few holes in the sweet potato after washing it and cook in the microwave for 10 to 15 minutes. Top with a little butter and brown sugar for a delicious side dish.
Cashews
Another ingredient that can help you cope with stress is the simple cashew. Cashews are great for those tired of filling up on empty calories too. You can make these nuts sweeter or more savory for using as a quick snack in the middle of the day or as a lower calorie dessert that features healthy fats. Roasting the nuts brings out the natural flavor, and you can choose which spices and seasonings to use on the nuts. Keep a bag filled with cashews at the office to get a boost of energy in the middle of the day and to reduce stress.
Turkey
One of the best meats for those suffering from stress is turkey. While you don’t need to roast a whole turkey every week, you should make smart decisions when buying turkey from the store. Stick to the deli counter and packaged meats that are free of sodium and artificial ingredients. Make a quick turkey salad from some thick chunks of turkey, a little low fat mayonnaise, celery and your favorite veggies. You can top a green salad with some thick slices of the turkey or make a sandwich from turkey and fresh vegetables.
Taking a supplement will help you battle any stressful situation without feeling anxious or upset. If you frequently experience stress, you also need to look at which foods will help you beat that stress. Eating more turkey, avocados, sweet potatoes and cashews can help you feel more relaxed and less stressed every day.
