Beat the Stress with Superfoods

More people seem to be stressed out these days and the immediate response to stress is to reach out to comfort foods which are usually unhealthy and leave us feeling guilty and anxious. The good news is that there are foods that can actually help you relieve stress and pacify the false hunger pangs. So next time if you want to calm your nerves, eat any of these anxiety-busting superfoods. Milk and Yogurt Many people follow the habit of drinking a glass of warm milk before going to bed. It is a time-tested remedy for insomnia and fidgetiness. Apart from having a high protein and calcium content, milk is high in antioxidants, vitamins B2 and B12. The protein lactium helps to lower blood pressure which helps to calm you down and the potassium in milk and yogurt can help relieve muscle spasms triggered by feeling tense. Almonds. Almonds are rich in vitamin B2 and E and munching on them boosts the immune system in times of stress. Have a quarter cup almonds daily and reap the benefits of good health. Oranges Oranges are packed with vitamin C that helps to lower blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol. So next time when you feel tense, eat a whole orange and let the burst of vitamin C soothe your nerves. Salmon There is nothing fishy about the fact that fish helps you feel at ease. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that help keep cortisol and adrenaline from spiking during times of stress. Salmon is one of the very best sources of omega-3 which protects your heart when those stress hormones are surging. Spinach and Black Beans Spinach and black beans are rich in magnesium, the mineral that helps regulate cortisol levels and promote feelings of well-being.  Although it doesn’t figure anywhere around comfort foods, have a cup of spinach daily for its other great health benefits. Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant and stress buster. Having a low magnesium level may result in headaches and cramps, and can aggravate an already anxious state. Black beans are also rich in fibre and protein, which stabilize blood sugar.  Sweet potatoes According to Toronto-based naturopath Diane C. Chung, sweet potatoes are an excellent complex carbohydrate with a high level of tryptophan [an essential amino acid] that converts into serotonin-the feel-good hormone of the brain. They are also high in beta-carotene, which boosts immunity when stress is high, and fibre, which helps stabilize surges in blood sugar caused by acute stress.