There are certain foods out there I wish I knew about before which help decrease your anxiety and stress levels. Below is an outline of what these foods are and the key ingredient in each that helps reduce stress.
Turkey
Turkey –the most adored food during thanksgiving –is one of the foods that has a positive effect on the body because of the production of feel-good chemicals after its consumption. Tryptophan is the key term that you’re looking for because it’s the precursor to serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter that allows you to feel calm and relaxed.
B-for Beef & B Vitamins
Beef is full of B vitamins which help with enhancing your mood. Eating or taking vitamin B12 supplements can help in reducing stress. Folic acid is also another one of the B vitamins that helps alleviate stress. These can be found in beef, meat, chicken, nuts, rice.
Eat your Fish
Evidence has found that omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) consumed regularly enhances your mood and decreases stress. These are the super-foods for your brain and help keep you sharp and focused. These can be found in fish, trout, salmon, anchovies, to name a few.
Chamomile Tea
Every single person I have told to try to drink chamomile tea told me how relaxed they were after having it. This tea alleviates your stress and allows you to calm your mind and body.
Foods to avoid
Caffeine
As we all know, caffeine, among its many effects, increases anxiety and stress when it’s drank in excess or when you’re feeling a little edgy or wired. It suppresses melatonin in the body and makes you more alert and anxious or fidgety.
Candy
We all know what’s in candy- sugar. The initial level of energy that you get after consuming sugar that is quickly absorbed in the body quickly becomes a crash in energy levels. This is when you suddenly feel low and tired after a big chocolate bar or a bag or chips.
Processed Foods
All processed foods must be avoided to allow your body to be in a more relaxed state and to avoid having low energy outputs after certain foods. This will keep your body well-regulated and will allow you to focus on consuming healthy, mood-boosting foods, like turkey.