Stress Fighting Foods
The 11 BEST Foods to Eat When You're Stressed Out
You have our permission to eat your feelings.
You already know that emotional eating won't make your problems magically disappear, but it can also do a number on your waistline—if you load on unhealthy food, that is. Here are 11 foods you can nosh on when you're feeling down from Columbia University psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, M.D., author of The Happiness Diet and Fifty Shades of Kale. Just be sure to keep your portion sizes in check so you don't consume too many calories.
Oatmeal with Cinnamon and Honey
A hot, hearty bowl of oats delivers that yummy carb-y experience and bumps up your feel-good hormone serotonin. And because it’s also packed with slow-to-digest fiber, it won’t cause an inconsistent spike in blood sugar levels like some other foods do. Add cinnamon (shown to ease frustration) and a teaspoon of honey (satisfies a sweet tooth and boosts immunity). Opt for the cleanest oatmeal option you can buy.
Dark Chocolate-Covered Almonds
The "chocolate cure" is real: A 2009 study by Swiss researchers suggests that eating dark chocolate reduces levels of stress hormones. It also lowers blood pressure nearly as well as drugs, per earlier studies. Meanwhile, almonds are rich in energy-boosting protein and good-for-you monounsaturated fat, which another study linked to lower rates of depression.
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Kale Chips
Homemade kale chips have just a few ingredients: olive oil, kale, and maybe some salt. A recent study found that people who ate olive oil daily felt more satisfied and enjoyed a bigger boost of serotonin than those eating other types of fat. As for kale, research from the Harvard School of Public Health found that people whose blood contained high levels of carotenoids (an antioxidant) were significantly more optimistic. Check out this quick how-to video for amazing kale chips.
Smoothies
Get your caffeine fix by blending java with soymilk (the folate it contains may boost serotonin levels), unsweetened cocoa powder (cue the dopamine, as with coffee), and a ripe banana (potassium lowers blood pressure).
MORE: 20 Super-Healthy Smoothie Recipes
Nuts and Seeds
Grab a combo of pistachios, cashews, almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds for a powerhouse package of fiber, antioxidants, and unsaturated fatty acids, all of which lower blood pressure. In one study, pistachios blunted the effects of anxiety in people taking a math test. Omega-3 essential fatty acids in walnuts have been linked to reduced rates of depression, the selenium in cashews and almonds has been shown to elevate mood, and tryptophan in pumpkin seeds may help the brain make serotonin. Just stick to one handful.
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Sweet Potatoes
They're sweet, delicious, and packed with nutrients—including optimism-boosting carotenoids and fiber (it’s also low on the Glycemic Index). “You’ll get the carby, sweet sensation without the blood-sugar spike,” says Ramsey. Make the most of your sweet spuds with more than 200 sweet potato recipes.
Yogurt with Berries
Find the creaminess you desire in plain low-fat Greek yogurt. It’s a great source of energizing protein and calcium, which your body needs to release feel-good neurotransmitters. Add fresh berries for sweetness and a mega-dose of stress-busting antioxidants and immunity-boosting vitamin C.
MORE: 8 Delicious Things To Add To Yogurt
Vegetable Curry
Cozy up to a bowl of spicy Indian food and two things happen. When your brain detects capsaicin—the molecule in chili peppers—it releases endorphins to calm things down. And curcumin (curry) actually shields key parts of the brain against the effects of stress, per recent research. Add spinach for a hit of magnesium, which has been shown to ease tension headaches.
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Green Tea
A 2011 study linked L-theanine—the amino acid in green tea—with feeling cooler under pressure. The green stuff also comes with a jolt of caffeine, so you’ll enjoy a focused calm. Check out these five pretty spectacular reasons to drink more green tea.
Guacamole with Carrots
Creamy avocado is high in monounsaturated fat and potassium, which lowers blood pressure, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Monounsaturated fat also helps keep receptors in the brain sensitive to serotonin. With raw carrots, the simple act of crunching is a satisfying stress stopper.
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Wine
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, so it will lower your blood pressure and take the edge off your tension. With vino, you’ll also get some healthful flavonoids and antioxidants. Just sip slowly, stick to one glass, and enjoy the conversation.
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