6 Foods That Are Nature's Stress Busters (+25 Easy Recipes)
Feeling stressed? Back away from the cupcake!
Turns out, the foods we eat can affect our moods. Read on to find out what foods will fill you up while calming you down.
Several recent studies suggest that certain foods can beat back stress and anxiety. (Via NPR.)
Unfortunately, when we're feeling bummed, we often reach for the wrong stuff: Sugary treats and highly refined carbs that offer immediate comfort, yes, but can come back to harsh our mellow when the sugar crash occurs.
Other foods, meanwhile, seem to actually benefit our moods and mental well-being. Six that top the list are fish with omega-3 fatty acids, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, eggs, flaxseeds, and dark leafy greens like Swiss chard and kale.
And now for some top-rated recipes featuring these six super foods.
1.) Salmon, Tuna, Sardines
These fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which might offer protection against stress by calming the body's response to inflammation.
2.) Kale and Swiss Chard
Eating nutrient-rich foods are key. And dark, leafy greens like chard and kale also offer vitamins A and K plus potassium.
3.) Eggs
Enjoyed in the morning, eggs are a satiating combination of protein and B vitamins.
4.) Dark Chocolate
According to the NPR story, cocoa flavanols "can help boost mood and sustain clear thinking among adults who are engaged in intense mental efforts" and may help reduce inflammation and improve vascular health.
5.) Pumpkin Seeds
According to the NPR story, pumpkin seeds are "a good source of magnesium, which is thought to play a role in fending off anxiety, and zinc, which may help boost the immune system."
6.) Flaxseed
Like salmon, sardines, and tuna, flaxseeds are a natural source of omega-3s.
