Nine Foods that Help You De-Stress Quickly
by www.SixWise.com

One of the most soothing things to do after a tough day is come home and collapse on the couch with your favorite comfort foods: mac & cheese, pizza, ice cream, meat loaf, a casserole of some sort -- really anything rich, creamy, sugary, salty or mushy usually fits the bill.

And really it's not your fault that your body automatically craves such indulgent treats when you're under fire.

A study by University of California, San Francisco researchers found that when rats are chronically stressed, the release of glucocorticoid steroid hormone (cortisol in humans) leads them to engage in pleasure-seeking behaviors, including eating high-energy foods.

High-energy foods, of course, are always made of sugar and fat.

True, you are not a rat, but you can certainly relate to the cravings. The problem with eating such foods, of course, is that afterward high-sugar foods lead to a crash that makes you feel worse ... and greasy high-fat foods leave you feeling guilty for other reasons.

To get the best of both worlds -- reduced stress and comfort in the knowledge that you're eating something good for you -- you need to indulge in healthy comfort foods.

And yes, these do exist.

Foods That Relieve Stress ... and are Healthy Too

1. Dark Leafy Greens

Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and Swiss chard are good for so many things, there's really no excuse not to eat them. Calming your nerves just happens to be one of them, as these veggies contain lots of the B-complex vitamins. These vitamins are crucial for preventing stress because they're needed to make serotonin, a chemical that helps boost your mood.

2. Asparagus

Asparagus is rich in folic acid, a B vitamin that is necessary to prevent irritability, fatigue, depression and even confusion.

3. Whole Grains

Whole grains also help to soothe your mood because they're rich in B vitamins. Make sure you're really eating something with whole grains, though, and not just "whole wheat" bread that's actually mostly refined flour.

4. Beef

Yes, red meat CAN be good for you! Beef is a great source of B vitamins and mood-stabilizing zinc and iron. To get the most health benefits, stick to organic, grass-fed beef.

5. Berries

Berries are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, which is known to help keep the stress hormone cortisol steady.

6. Nuts

Almonds are rich in vitamin E, which helps to fight some of the damage caused by stress. Brazil nuts, meanwhile, contain lots of zinc and selenium, which also fights free radicals.

7. Salmon

The omega-3 fats found in salmon may help to reduce feelings of stress.

8. Chicken Breast

Chicken is a great source of tryptophan, which can help you sleep better and elevate your mood (as a bonus, it can even help to regulate your appetite!). Contrary to popular belief, chicken breast actually contains slightly more tryptophan than turkey.

9. Avocados

Add some avocado slices to your sandwich or salad or whip up a batch of guacamole for a quick boost in your B vitamins (plus, avocados can help prevent cancer and they're great for your heart!).

Recommended Reading

Six Foods That Can Help You Fight Menstrual Stress

Some Startling Stress and Anxiety Statistics and What You Can Do to Eliminate Your High-Stress

Sources

Science Daily September 11, 2003

The World's Healthiest Foods

Yahoo October 26, 2007

BHG.com