8 Foods that Help Fight Stress Naturally

8 Foods that Help Fight Stress Naturally by Jo Brielyn

We all have stress. No matter how relaxed we try to live, there’s no way to escape having a certain amount of it. Too much stress, however, can negatively impact our health as well as our relationships. How we handle and manage the stressors we face makes all the difference. One of the most powerful stress-fighting tools is learning how to manage it through the foods we eat. There are foods that actually have calming properties to help the body ward off stress more effectively.

Just to be clear, calming foods are not the same as comfort foods. There is a big difference between enjoying a food’s natural calming properties and using food to serve as a type of emotional anesthesia. Eating habits like that might give you a temporary calming effect, but it will wear off quickly leaving you only with the extra calories and often more frustration over your poor eating choices. Instead, choose foods like those listed below that contain specific nutrients proven to provide calming agents or that give a steady, reliable source of energy to pick you up when you’re feeling overwhelmed by stressful situations.

Spinach — Green leafy vegetables like spinach have high amounts of magnesium. Magnesium levels that are too low may trigger headaches and fatigue, making the effects of stress even worse for your body. .

Salmon and fatty fish — Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish such as salmon and tuna, helps keep stress in check. Omega-3s help control stress hormone surges. They’ve also been linked to protecting against heart disease, mood disorders like depression, and PMS. Try to eat 3 ounces of salmon or other fatty fish at least two times each week.

Oranges — Studies show that Vitamin C, which is found in foods like oranges, can curb levels of stress hormones while strengthening the immune system. Try experimenting with different varieties of oranges like clementines, tangelos, and mineolas.

Avocados — Eating enough potassium reduces high blood pressure often associated with stress. Half of an avocado contains more potassium than a medium-sized banana. Avocados also have a lot of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and folate. Watch your portion sizes though, since they also have fat. Even good fats need to be eaten in moderation!

Nuts (almonds, pistachios, cashews, walnuts) – Nuts are good sources of fat. They also contain nutrients like Vitamins B and E and zinc that help fight stress. Since your body has no way to store zinc, and low zinc levels have been linked to anxiety and depression, it is important to replenish your zinc supply daily with foods like nuts.

Asparagus — Asparagus is high in folate, which is a key nutrient used by your body to keep your cool when faced with stressful situations. Try steaming asparagus to toss in salads or broil them up to make them crispy.

Oatmeal is a complex carbohydrate that causes your brain to make the feel-good chemical serotonin. Serotonin has antioxidant properties and also produces a calming feeling that helps beat stress. Enjoy a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast or add the uncooked rolled oats to a recipe to reap the benefits.

Berries — All berries (including bluberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries) are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is effective in fighting stress. It helps lower blood pressure and cortisol levels.

JO BRIELYN is an author and contributing writer for Get Fit Now and has currently completed 16 nonfiction books about health and wellness. Jo is the founder, writer, and editor of Creative Kids Ideas, a resource website that supplies parents, teachers, and family members with the tips and fun ideas to help build stronger, happier, and more creative kids. She is also the writer behind Good-For-Your-Health.com. Jo is a veteran of the United States Air Force and a former youth leader. She resides in Central Florida with her husband and their two daughters. Jo is the co-author of Combat Fat for Kids.