Stress can cause your cortisol levels to rise. Cortisol causes food cravings, and those cravings tend to be strongest for carbs, especially sweet foods.
Eating sweet foods will only make you feel worse in the long run. Calming foods will not. When we talk about calming foods, we mean meals and snacks that will truly soothe and calm you.
They contain nutrients that provide a steady, slow releasing of energy. They’ll get you through the day feeling focused and balanced—so you will have the ability to conquer anything. Below is a list of some foods that will help calm and “de-stress” your feelings that you may be having:
1. Strawberries
Strawberries are surprisingly rich in vitamin C, which has been proven to have a significant impact on stress levels. Increased vitamin C consumption has been proven to help people cope with stress. A recent study has found that cortisol levels (one of the stress hormones) decreased rapidly in subjects given vitamin C, and the blood pressure of the study participants returned to normal more quickly in the vitamin C group than in the group who didn’t consume vitamin C.
2. Beef
Beef should be eaten sparingly, but it’s just as good for your stress as it is for your taste buds. Foods that are high in B vitamins, like beef, can crush anxiety and keep a low mood at bay. Another study has shown that vitamin B deficiency has been linked to depression. If you’re worried about fat, choose wisely. The round cut of beef has the least amount of fat and the most protein when compared to other beef cuts.
3. Salmon
Salmon is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which not only contribute to heart health but also helps stress to simmer down. Protein-rich fatty fish such as tuna and salmon a can reduce stress and may contribute to the prevention of heart disease and depression.
4. Yogurt
This thick, rich treat may be the cure for what ails you. Knock out your depression with a few bites and you’ll be ready to take on the day. A UCLA study found that consuming probiotic-rich yogurt twice a day could help reduce stress. Study participants who regularly consumed yogurt high in probiotics demonstrated a change in their brain function during rest and during tasks involving emotion recognition.
5. Mozzarella cheese
This tasty cheese contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid that helps produce serotonin, which may have a calming effect by regulating mood and anxiety. As part of a well-rounded nutrition plan, the protein in cheese can slow down the absorption of carbohydrates and therefore help balance your blood-sugar levels and improve mood as well.
6. Black tea
Many studies have found that black tea drinkers are better able to manage stress than people who don’t consume black tea. Not only were black tea drinkers generally less stressed out, they also were able to return their body to homeostasis in less time after a stressful situation than people who didn’t drink this tea.
7. Nuts
Nuts are crunchy, so there’s a good stress relieving activity for you. More importantly, nuts are rich in magnesium, a vital nutrient when in it comes to your body’s natural stress coping mechanism. A common sign of magnesium deficiency is an inability to manage stress, and the physical ramifications of that like fatigue, loss of appetite, high blood pressure, or insomnia.