Choose Foods and Habits That Will Combat Stress

 

Stress is an essential part of living a productive life.  However, most of us have more stress in our lives than we need.  As a result of our high stress levels we often choose stress-prone eating behaviors that further stress our bodies.  These stress-prone eating behaviors include choosing foods and beverages that are high in fat, sugar, and caffeine.  These eating behaviors further stress our bodies and do not provide our bodies the nutrients they need.

The good news is that it is possible to choose foods and habits that will combat the stressors in your life.  Choose one or two of the below tips that you can start applying to your life today.  Next week try to incorporate another tip.  Add new tip each week until all seven become habits.

• At every meal put foods that are a variety of colors on your plate. By doing this you are insuring that you are consuming a variety of nutrients at every meal. Sorry, eating a bag of Skittles doesn’t count.
• Choose food high in antioxidants. Antioxidants destroy free radicals. Free radicals are what may cause many diseases and aging in our bodies. Foods highest in antioxidants include: fruits, vegetables, beans, spices, and nuts.
• Reduce your caffeine consumption. Consuming caffeine promotes your bodies stress response. Caffeine increases your heart rate, increases anxiety, and possibly causes sleeping difficulties.
• Drink more water. Drinking beverages that contain caffeine (soda, energy drinks, tea, and coffee) do not do an effective job in hydrating your body. Even slight dehydration will make you feel fatigued. Being well hydrated will make your skin look better and your body function better.
• Take time every week to plan your family’s meals and snacks in advance. By doing this you are guaranteed to reduce your stress level and to improve your nutritional health. By pre-planning you will eat out less and make healthier food choices.
• Be physically active everyday. Get your heart rate up everyday by going for a walk, playing tag with your kids, or taking a stress relieving yoga class. Adding daily physical activity into your life will help you control your stress level.
• Sleep more. Take daily power naps if possible. Thirty minutes each day does wonders. Make sure you go to bed at a reasonable time every night. Turn off the TV and hop into bed, your body and mind will thank you. Remember caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime may disrupt your sleep.