Introduction: Stress can make us crave junk food, increase our stress hormone levels that promote fat storage, and this stress-relieving effect can lead to weight gain in the belly, hips, and thighs. Here, the editor introduces six foods proven to relieve stress.
1. Chamomile
You may know chamomile as a soothing bedtime drink. It helps you stay calm and strengthens the nervous system by increasing levels of the amino acid glycine. It also increases levels of a substance called hippuric acid, which helps fight off infections. This is very important when stress strikes.
2. Berries
Famous for their antioxidant content, berries contain a substance that can prevent premature aging caused by common chronic stress. After eating, they release sugar into the bloodstream, which can lift your mood. This makes raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries the sweetest choice for those who want a dessert or a sweet snack. Unlike other sweet fruits, they rarely cause intestinal fermentation and gas. Since long-term stress can impair digestion, they are beneficial for you when you're stressed.
Blueberry Muffins
3. Dark Chocolate
If you've ever felt ashamed for being a chocoholic, you don't need to anymore. Maternal and Child Health Manual: aamyxy Stress increases our craving for sweet, high-fat foods, and eating some dark chocolate when stress strikes can help.
4. Nuts
When you're under stress, your body and brain use up certain vitamins at a faster rate. Nuts are a great source of nutrients, rich in B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, and omega oils—all of which are depleted quickly when stress hits. Nuts can naturally balance blood sugar levels, and studies have shown they can reduce your cravings for sugar, regulate appetite, and support metabolism. Don't be afraid of the fat in nuts. Research shows that people who eat nuts in their weight management diets lose weight more successfully!
Almond Cookies with Chicken Oil
5. Cabbage
The nutrient-rich cabbage—along with other cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, mustard greens, and collard greens—contains sulfur compounds, known scientifically as glucosinolates. They help our liver detoxify from the toxins produced by stress hormones.
Eating more cruciferous vegetables can also help women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This is because they can help combat a stress-related condition in women known as "estrogen dominance," which can cause mood changes before menstruation.
Eat cooked cabbage, or drizzle olive or coconut oil over steamed or stir-fried vegetables. Raw vegetables can be problematic when you're stressed, interfering with thyroid function. Stress can affect sleep, and you might find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, hours earlier than expected, which is another common symptom of excessive stress.
6. Celery
Celery is rich in tryptophan, which helps the body create the brain chemical serotonin, which is greatly beneficial for maintaining a positive mood and good sleep. A few stalks of celery with some sugar-free peanut butter can be your bedtime snack, helping to improve your sleep quality and keep your blood sugar levels stable, preventing sudden awakenings during the night.
Celery Stir-fried with Cashews and Lily Bulbs