Eat to Beat Stress!

You can brush off the remarks you've heard about stress-eating is a bad thing. Gorging away when your nerves are jangling can actually calm you down. The good news is you can chow away with all these yummy goodies and not worry about the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and heart diseases. The basic chemicals in each food are responsible for such reactions.

1. Salmon is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D. It keeps cortisol and adrenaline from geysering. Omega-3 fatty acids also protects us against heart disease. Other fatty fish like mackerel, herring and light tuna does the same. For other Omega-3 punch, buy foods fortified with DHA such as omega-3 fortified eggs, yogurt and soy products.
   
2. Spinach is rich in folic acid, soluble fiber and magnesium. Magnesium tends to relax us and put us in a soothing mood. Not getting enough of it may trigger migraine headaches and make you feel fatigued.
   
3. Skim Milk is rich in Vitamin D and B12. Not only the old warm-milk remedies insomnia and restlessness, it turns out that calcium can reduce muscle spasms and soothe tension too. A glass of this 'moo' juice may also reduce stressful pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety and irritability.
   
4. Nuts such as almonds, pistachios and walnuts a bursting with Vitamin E, B and magnesium. Not only it helps to calm down your nervous system but also helps to lower your blood pressure. Both sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds also contributes to the same purpose.
5. Oatmeal and other whole wheats which consists of carbohydrates make the brain produce more serotonin, the same relaxing brain chemical released when you eat dark chocolate. The more serotonin, the happier you'll be.
   
6. Vitamin C is essential in keeping stress at bay. Vitamin C is present in uncooked fruits and vegetables, especially citrus foods and red and green peppers. It's also found in papayas, cantaloupes, strawberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, asparagus and parsley.
   

Eat up in all these foods and may you keep you moods and spirits high.