Foods that Take a Bite Out of Stress
By Sandy Schroeder
Most of us would agree there is a fair amount of stress in today’s world. Globally, locally, and right down to our individual desks at work, stress happens. Stress increases heart attack risk by 25 percent and stroke risk on the job by 10 percent.
But the good news is the foods we eat may help us handle stress better. If those foods load us up with healthy nutrients, and help us avoid irritating inflammation, our brain and body may fight stress better, according to health researchers.
Delicious Stress Cutters
What's it take to eat your way out of stress? Check out this list.
Leafy greens and cruciferous veggies – Cabbage, kale, broccoli, and cauliflower help us detox, and may dump carcinogens. Kale and collards are full of phytonutrients to help us weather stress and keep blood pressure down. Fix mixed green salads, and broccoli or cauliflower soups and side dishes.
Raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, strawberries – These fruits are loaded with phytonutrients to protect against inflammation when stress hits. They are also considered brain foods. Serve with breakfast cereal, as snacks, and with fruit tarts or fruit salads.
Dark chocolate – Corner the market on polyphenols to boost the immune system, improve circulation and reduce inflammation. Increase energy and focus like caffeine does, without the caffeine dropoff. Look for chocolate bars with 70 percent cacao for maximum benefits.
Smart spices – Garlic, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and turmeric are all strong anti-inflammatory players to use in baking and cooking, upping flavor and fighting body stress.
Lentils and beans – Fight bad cholesterol, high blood sugar and triglycerides with these fiber-loaded choices that smooth out blood sugar ups and downs that lead to inflammation.
Eggs – Full of protein and B vitamins, eggs benefit the brain, and may improve healthy cholesterol, according to some new research. Look for free-range choices, and serve them hard boiled in salads, as veggie omelets, or whipped into spinach/feta cheese pies for dinner.
Nuts – High fiber and healthy fats help cut oxidative stress in the body, protecting cells, calming nerves. Serve as snacks or choose nut butters.
Avocadoes, olive and coconut oil – Get anti-inflammatory power from the rich monounsaturated fat and polyphenols in extra virgin oil. Slice avocado into your salads and sandwiches to fight inflammation.
Sweet potato – Rich fiber brimming with nutrients work as antioxidants to help heal body inflammation. Bake potatoes as side dishes topped with honey and peppers, or cut up chunks to add to a black bean soup.
Keep looking for more healthy foods that arm the body against stress. As you shop for healthier foods and look for new recipes, you could share the results with your friends and sample more choices in a potluck.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.