Are you on the go, go go and don't have time to take a break? Are you too busy and stressed to do stress-relieving activities? I have good news for you.
The foods that you eat every day can help you manage your stress! Many of your favorite foods are packed with stress-relieving vitamins, minerals and nutrients that can support your body's ability to deal with stress.
Since this is Stress Awareness Month, I have decided to devote a few articles to foods that support the body's ability to manage stress. This article will focus on foods that are high in antioxidants.
Foods high in antioxidants protect the cells from free radical damage. Free radicals are atoms that have unpaired electrons that damage cells. This accelerates the progression of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease or age-related diseases.
Eat oranges, grapefruit, strawberries and other foods that are high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed by your adrenal glands to produce your stress hormones. So it is important to eat foods that contain vitamin C so you will have the building blocks during stressful times.
Vitamin C can help your blood pressure and your stress hormone, cortisol, return to normal more quickly. Vitamin C is also an important component for boosting your immune system, which can be compromised by constant and chronic stress.
Go nuts! Almonds, pistachios or walnuts are good choices. These nuts are all high in antioxidants, protecting our cells from the damaging effects of stress. Nuts are loaded with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects our cells from free radicals produced during stress.
They also contain B vitamins that relax the nervous system. Pistachios and walnuts have been shown to lower blood pressure. A serving size is only a quarter of a cup, which is about a handful.
Eat the colors of the rainbow! The phytonutrients that create the lovely greens, yellows, oranges, reds, blues and purples support our bodies in managing stress. These antioxidants protect our cells from damage and boost our immune systems at the same time.
So eat more fruits and vegetables! Eat more black beans or pumpkin seeds. Just get more colors on your plate. It reduces your stress.
In the next article we will continue to look at foods that help relieve stress. If you want some recipes that utilize these foods check out Dr. Dae’s Stress Busting Recipes at http://healthydaes.org/stress-busting-recipes/
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Daemon Jones
Dr. Dae's website: www.HealthyDaes.org
Download of Dr. Dae's books: Dr. Dae’s Stress Busting Recipes @ http://healthydaes.org/stress-busting-recipes
Dr. Dae's Bio:
Dr. Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who treats patients all over the country using Skype and phone visits. She helps her patients cultivate health and feel great, using a combination of safe and effective naturopathic and conventional methods.
Sources:
"Free radicals - definition of Free radicals by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.." Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2013.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Free+radicals
Mateljan, George. The world's healthiest foods: essential guide for the healthiest way of eating. Seattle, Wash.: George Mateljan Foundation, 2006. Print.
"Stress-Busting Foods | Women's Health Magazine." Women's Health: Health, Fitness, Weight Loss, Healthy Recipes & Beauty. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2013.
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/beat-stress
Reviewed April 2, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith