The
state of our mind has an important effect to our overall health and
wellness. And what we eat does affect our mood. When we are stressed,
sad or angry, a binge of fast food may seem like a great answer. But
really this will not help you feel better, nor look better.
Calming Food to Reduce Stress via goformore.website |
To have a happy, stress-free life and a healthy body, here are 10 best foods that relax our mood:
1. Almonds
If
you work causes stress, it is recommended that you bring a bag of
almonds to the office; they are a great source of magnesium, one of the
most important minerals that help control blood pressure. Magnesium
plays an important role in relaxing the nervous system so that you can
avoid those headaches that come when you are stressed.
2. Avocados
The
rich content of vitamin B in avocados help our body produce energy and
create red blood cells. This vitamin also helps the brain's
neurotransmitters, which can improve our mood. In addition, they are
also rich in monounsaturated fats that help regulate blood pressure.
Have a dish of guacamole avocados – its both nutritious and delicious!
3. Chard
Chard
is championed for its high magnesium content, which is essential in
reducing fatigue and stress. Other than magnesium, this vegetable is
also loaded vitamins C and E, which may lower oxidative stress and
prevent cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. If you
don’t like the taste, it is not a bad idea to take them occasionally.
You can have it steam, boiled, in soups or salads and you will not
regret it!
4. Oatmeal
The carbohydrates in oatmeals do a
great job in helping promote the flow of serotonin, the “calming”
hormone that helps you relax. When grocery shopping, make sure that you
buy organic oatmeal. Occasionally, some brands are loaded with sugar and
additives which are not good for your health.
5. Asparagus
Asparagus
is another wonderful food that helps us soothe our mood. The high
content of fiber, vitamin B and folic acid help control stress levels in
our brain. They also contain tryptophan, a type of amino acid
associated with serotonin, which is essential to improve our mood. You
can enjoy sparagus in many ways: sauteed, steamed, stir-fried – it’s
always tasty.
6. Blackcurrants
A research done by British
Blackcurrant Foundation has shown that blackcurrnts have properties that
are effective in fighting stress. They are good for athletes because
they are rich with antioxidants that help increase concentration, reduce
fatigue and relieve stress.
7. Turkey
Turkey has an
essential amino acid in human nutrition called tryptophan. This helps
the body produce serotonin, the hormone that is stored in the brain and
helps us relax. If you ever get sleepy after eating a turkey stew, you
know the reason!
8. Maca Root
A native plant from Bolivia
and Peru, maca was formerly used in medicine. The plant from the radish
family has aphrodisiac properties. It also provides energy and reduces
stress, the reasons some athletes take it to increase their performance.
In addition, the energy provided by maca is free from caffeine or
sugar. Add maca into your porridge or smoothies to gain its great
benefits.
9. Chocolate
You have a good excuse to eat
chocolate every day! A couple of ounces a day can be beneficial to your
health. It is believed that black chocolate lowers levels of cortisol, a
hormone that is released with stress and anxiety. It is also rich with
antioxidants that relax blood pressure and help reduce cholesterol. When
choosing chocolate, try to pick the one that contains at least 70%
cocoa.
10. Herbal teas
Last but not least, to maintain
your health and wellness, you can have a cup of hot green tea or
chamomile every day. The antioxidants in green tea can help reduce
stress. Herbal teas also contain an amino acid called L-theanine, which
acts as natural relaxant.