Stress Relieving Dietary Options

How many of you turn to chocolates or ice-creams to get over a break-up? Or well, is it a beer or vodka that calms your nerves? Are french fries, potato wafers, or mugs of coffee your pick to beat that stress? Take a minute and think. Are these really helping; or pushing you further into far darker paths?

The fact is that these comfort foods have the tendency to can do exactly what you are trying to avoid desperately. Make you lethargic; increase irritability and much worse can even lead to depression. Temporary bursts of energy or euphoria achieved through these, may lead to bouts of anxiety, irritability and crankiness later.

A nutritious balanced diet is your only safe bet. It has been medically proven that people who take a healthy balanced diet are far less stressed than those with a poor diet. Foods with high vitamin and mineral levels help reduce stress levels. Also food items rich in carbohydrates produce serotonin, a hormone which relaxes us. High fiber foods help in treating constipation, often a long term consequence of high stress. Fermented food products like yogurt are also great in keeping a healthy gut, which is the secret to improving mental well being most effectively. Here’s a list of foods that relieve stress and depression:

• Green leafy vegetables
• Fresh fruits
• Dark Chocolate
• Soups
• Yogurt
• Fish
• Nuts and seeds
• Water in abundance

It is understandable that one is unable to make rational choices while under stress and depressed, but can at least have the courage to seek help. Consult a good dietitian/nutritionist to guide you further and help you chart out a healthy diet to reduce stress. Make a quick shift to better stress free living now. Our experts at Idietitian could help you out