The Best Stress Busting Foods

Bust out the food. Who ever said it was bad to eat when under stress? All is good as long as you choose the right foods. Over time, stress can be very damaging, causing an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity. Here are some foods that will help calm you down, soothe the stress, and of course, satisfy your hunger.

Avocados
When the going gets tough, make guacamole. The thick, rich texture can satisfy your craving and reduce those frantic feelings.

Skim Milk
Not only does it help build and maintain bone density, the calcium in milk can reduce muscle spasms and soothe tension.

Oatmeal
Got a long day at the office ahead of you? Try eating some oatmeal. This carb is high in fiber and will take longer for your stomach to digest, which means your brain will be more relaxed and you're less likely to snap or go into a hissy fit.

Oranges
Have you been pulling all niters and missing out on your beauty sleep? Be sure to get your dose of vitamin C. Oranges are a proven immune system booster. by taking in at least 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C, this will leave you feeling less stressed, and will return your blood pressure and levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) back to normal faster.

Salmon
Stress hormones have an archenemy: omega-3 fatty acids. Aim to eat a 3oz serving of fish, especially fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, and light tuna at least 2x/week. If you're not a fish eater, look for egg, yogourt, milk & soy products that are fortified with omega 3.

Spinach
Popeye was definitely onto something good. Not only is spinach high in iron, but its high magnesium content has great calming qualities. This mineral will help lower your stress levels, keeping your body in a state of relative ease. Not getting enough magnesium may trigger migraine headaches and make you feel fatigued. By eating 1 cup of spinach, this will constitute 40% of your daily value.