Can food really make an impact on our stress levels?
This article will explore what nutritional options might make a real difference, and how.
“Stress and nutrition are closely tied,” says quadruple board-certified physicianDr.
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He explains, “What you eat can impact how your body handles stress.
“White flour and sugar spike serotonin and dopamine in the short term, which gives temporary emotional upticks.
It’s especially important toavoid sugarand processed foods before bed, as they candisrupt sleep.
It contains a wide variety of nutrients that can help keep you healthy and make you feel good emotionally.
Hafeez tells us it’s particularly “rich in flavonoids which are good for increasing levels of serotonin.”
Hafeez says that whole grains “balanceblood sugarand mood swings.”
Dasgupta specifically recommends oats. "
Pistachios cashews, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds are all great, too.
This category of food is convenient because they’re so easy to take on the go.
Other leafy greens include kale, chard, and arugula.
If you’re not a huge fan of bitterness, spinach is the perfect starting point.
Hafeez says it’s “high in omega-3 fatty acids that fight inflammation and maintain brain health.”
Dasgupta recommends salmon and says it “can lowercortisol, the stress hormone.”
He notes, “Eating salmon regularly helps keep your body in a better mood overall.”
you could eat fatty fish raw as sashimi, or cooked; the benefits are maintained in either state.
Those have a host of health benefits, including helping to prevent disease.
Hafeez adds that their antioxidants “lower inflammation and protect the brain from the effects of stress.”
That means they won’t keep you awake at night or contribute to jitteriness.
Herbal teasand steeped beverages like peppermint and chamomile can reduce stress.
Hafeez says that they’re calming and can help promote feelings of well-being for us.
Nuts and seeds, oats, and berries are all excellent for breakfast, and are commonly eaten then.
You’ll want to avoid chocolate at night, as it contains a small amount of caffeine.
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