Healthy bites|Eat well-grow well|Good diet and beat stress|Eat good food-Live good life
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Though food is the last thing you would think of when tensed, tackling stress is no big deal as long as you eat the right stuff. Leading a stressful life is bad enough but making it unhealthier is worse. By adding certain food items to your diet, you can beat the stress out of your life. Here is the top eight list.
SPINACH
1. SPINACH: Magnesium was made to calm holiday insanity. First the mineral can help lower your stress levels, keeping your body in a state of relative ease as you kick off yet another round of small talk at the company party. Not getting enough magnesium may trigger migrane headaches and make you feel fatigued. Just one cup of spinach provides 40 percent of your daily value. Give it a desiwist by trying out some palak(Spinach)soup, palak puris or better still plain old dal palak.
BANANA
2. BANANA: With approximately 100 calories each, bananas provide carbs, vitamin B6 and magnesium--all ingredients that can soothe the nervous system and help the body cope better with stress. Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, which makes them ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy. Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the heartbeat and regulate the body's water balance. During periods of high stress, our body's potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted; eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without using drugs.
TUNA SANDWICH
3. TUNA SANDWICH: Tuna fish are a nutrient-dense food. An excellent source of high quality protein, tuna are rich in a variety of important nutrients including the beneficial omega-3 essential fatty acids. An increasing consumption of foods rich in omega-3s (which is in plenty in tuna), while decreasing consumption of omega-6 rich foods, can provide some protection against depression, particularly as depressive symptoms increase.
BROCCOLI
4. BROCCOLI: Yet another food that is chock-full of stress-relieving B Vitamins. Broccoli has the added benefit of containing folic acid, which is also part of the B Vitamin family. Folic acid helps relieve the stress, anxiety, panic and even depression. Try Broccoli as a simple accompaniment to fish or chicken or toss it into a stir-fry along with a few other vegetables and some beef or shrimp.
ALMONDS
5. ALMONDS: These crunchy creations are great stress relievers. They're packed with Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin E, magnesium and zinc. B Vitamins and magnesium are involved in the production of serotonin, which helps regulate mood and relieve stress. Zinc has also been shown to fight some of the negative effects of stress, while Vitamin E is an antioxident that destroys free radicals related to stress and heart disease. However, you should only eat a small handfull at a time since almonds are high in fat. Although it is mostly healthy fat of the unsaturated variety, it could still make you pack on the pounds.
SOUPS
6. SOUPS: Soups are very hydrating, nourishing, soothing and easy to digest, especially if freshly made with natural, whole food ingredients. Soups are wonderful in the fall and winter months to warm our insides. Season with your favourite spices and it is hard to go wrong.
FRESH YOGHURT
7. FRESH YOGHURT: It provides the essential minerals and calcium to stimulate proper nerve impulses and normalize the acidity levels in the stomach. Yoghurt is especially beneficial when your stomach is upset and if you are prone to ulcers.
OATMEAL
8. OATMEAL : Not exactly soul food, but rich in carbohydrates, oatmeal produces the same result as eating dark choclate. This thick hearty meal is high in fibre and takes loger to digest. Also try oatmeal upma, oats paratha and, better still, oatmeal soup for tastlier options.
BALANCED DIET
Instant stress relief might be difficult, but it's important if you want to avoid the detrimental long-term health effects of ongoing stress. The sooner you can overcome stress, the better. If you turn to sugar and junk food or alcohol when you're upset, it's time to stop. Choose the foods mentioned and you will soon enjoy the benefits of instant stress relief. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.
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