November 2019
Tips for Healthy Eating to Help Manage Stress
By Savannah Hobbs
stress ! It can feel like a constant companion. While we all may be companion with the feelings of stress, the effects on our corrode and health can sometimes be a mystery. But what is stress ? It is any physical, mental, or emotional tenor, and it can have dangerous consequences when felt over long periods of time. It can impact what we eat through cravings, overeating, or undereating. It can impact our motivation to cook or be physically active, and can even affect our immune reply leading to colds or illnesses. So what can we do ? It ’ mho easy to say : “ barely be less stress ! ” But if our try is here to stay ( at least for a short while ), we need options and tricks for managing it and staying healthy .
So how can we limit the impact of stress on our health?
Tip 1: Listen to Your Body!
try can be sneaky. In today ’ mho world, because we move so cursorily from job to soccer practice to educate and back again, it can be unmanageable to recognize when stress is straining our bodies. It is possible to not even recognize feelings of stress until the negative health effects have already started to set in. By listening to our bodies and recognizing when we are stressed, we can combat the health consequences of excessively much stress early on !
Ask yourself: How does my body tell me that I am stressed?
Tip 2: Don’t Forget Self-care!
Taking wish of ourselves when animation seems all-consuming can feel like a low precedence. When things get feverish, it is common to sacrifice sleep, mealtime, or drill to make up some extra time. These sacrifices can throw our bodies into survival mode. This can induce the fight or flight response, making it more unmanageable to sleep, avoid illness, or evening relax when things calm down. It is important to make surely to eat regularly throughout the day and allow our bodies the stay that it needs .
Ask yourself: What are some healthy ways that I might manage stress?
Tip 3: Eat Stress-Busting Foods!
While there may not be a miracle cure for stress, there are foods that both fuel and nourish our bodies, keeping our health on the correct racetrack .
- Antioxidants: These can help stop or delay damage to cells. Some examples include: tea, blueberries, beetroot, beans, tomatoes, kale, and even (!) dark chocolate.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These can help fight against inflammation in the body, which is a stress response. Some examples include: nuts, flax and chia seeds, soy products, and fish.
- Vitamins: Certain foods are high in nutrients like vitamins C, B6, and E that help bolster our immune system to offer extra protection during stressful times. Some examples include: citrus fruits, dark leafy green vegetables, bell peppers, and garlic.
Ask yourself: What kinds of foods could I include in my diet to help manage stress?
Tip 4: Watch Out For Stress-Inducing Foods!
Certain foods can put strain on our bodies, or can exacerbate the stress response. Caffeine, for exemplar, can affect sleep and induce dehydration. Alcohol can besides dehydrate us and acts as a depressant. Foods high in carbohydrate and calories can leave us feeling bloated, dull, and tired .
Ask yourself: What kinds of foods am I drawn to when I feel stressed?
Follow These Tips to Help Manage Stress
Certain times in life can feel more nerve-racking than others. The more we listen to our bodies and take concern of ourselves the lower the shock of try on our health. Certain types of foods that are rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acid fatty acids, or certain vitamins and nutrients can help us avoid some health consequences of stress. Eating well can keep us on the right racetrack, even when liveliness gets feverish !
Get to know our author
Savannah Hobbs is a one-fourth year Ph.D. campaigner studying Food Science and Human Nutrition. Hobbs is in the first place from Anchorage, Alaska and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her dissertation function focuses on the effects of stress on healthy corrode and physical activity. On circus tent of this, she besides looks at the function of a stress-management part in fleshiness prevention interventions .
More Information
For extra resources to healthy eat, check out these programs from our registered dietician nutritionists. More health tips are besides available at the College of Health and Human Sciences Pinterest board. last, don ’ triiodothyronine forget to sign up for the KRNC monthly newsletter !