Today we live in a more stressful world than ever before and it many people feel constantly fatigued. A good way to combat fatigue is to be careful what you eat and make sure you have a diet to reduce stress; this will also reduce hunger pangs and the desire to overeat. Stress can lead to tiredness and overeating Chronic stress increases the production of hormones that unbalance glucose levels in the blood, which can make you feel hungry triggering overeating that causes more stress. General food guidelines A diet to reduce stress should include 60-75% raw food, full of fresh fruit and vegetables, which not only supply valuable vitamins and minerals, including the B complex and vitamin C. Raw foods are also rich in compounds such as flavanoids, which help to combat stress symptoms. Foods to Include High-fiber, carbohydrate-rich foods: Scientists believe carbohydrates cause the brain to produce more serotonin, a hormone that relaxes and soothes us. Add lots of fiber is helpful in preventing late-night binging. Some examples of healthy comfort food include baked sweet potatoes, saut'ed vegetables and brown rice. Fruits and vegetables: By increasing your intake of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, you can boost your immune system. Also take these supplements Alfalfa, garlic and ginger can be taken which support the immune system. Kelp, kombu and watercress should also be included in a diet to reduce stress as they help to support the thyroid gland. Lots of water should also be drunk to prevent dehydration and make sure that you eat regularly as well as cutting back on alcohol, coffee, tea and cigarettes. A diet to reduce stress should include the following The specific foods below will reduce stress and nourish the nervous system and restore balance and wellbeing A diet to reduce stress is relatively easy to do and can be incorporated into any sensible diet plan. Here are some great individual foods to incorporate. Oats Are reckoned for their calming properties, rich in B vitamins which can help calm an over stressed nervous system Strawberries, raspberries dark vegetables and oranges These are all rich in vitamin C and this is needed to replenish adrenaline stored in the adrenal glands. If you are stressed you need a lot of vitamin C and the bodies requirement doubles. Smokers deplete vitamin C so if you must smoke get plenty of this vitamin. Skimmed milk & low fat yogurt Milk is a great source of magnesium and calcium two minerals that help soothe muscle tension. Carrots & apples Eat them raw and they have been scientifically proven to reduce stress. How? Simply the crunching noise! Any crunchy vegetable or fruit is good. Camomile The nutrients found in this tea mean that have a sedative calming affect on the nervous system and plenty of tea should be included in any diet to reduce stress levels. Try drinking a cup before you go to bed to relax you and get good nights sleep. Other teas Drink green tea as well but try not to drink coffee or tea unless it's decaffeinated. Foods that increase stress Foods not to eat include processed foods, artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, candy, fried food, sugar, white flour products and foods with lots of preservatives and additives. Eat naturally and regularly A diet to reduce stress is easy to do, just keep in mind the following: Eat as many raw and natural foods as possible and cut down on refined and processed foods. Take some supplements like the ones indicated above that are known for their calming affect, drink lots of water and remember to eat regularly and often. It really is that simple! So try a diet based around the above principles and watch your stress levels drop and your energy levels increase. |
