If you’re stressed out and feeling overwhelmed from your workload, then you tend to grab fatty, salty, or sweet comfort foods like french fries, onion rings, cheeseburgers, bacon, pizza, soda, hotdogs, pancakes, waffles, donuts, chocolate cake, cookies, candy, pies, ice cream sundaes, and the list can go on and on… Of course, this isn’t the healthiest thing in the world to do for your mind or body. Junk foods can wreak havoc on your wellbeing.
What you really should be doing when you are stressed out is giving your body some extra tender loving care. Now, how do you go about accomplishing that? It might seem difficult, but there are a variety of foods that can assist in a healthier lifestyle.
Plant-Based
Let’s start with a plant-based diet. There are healthier carbohydrates that you can binge on such as sweet potatoes (which have Vitamin C, A, and B6) and legumes. You can have black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, and they are an excellent source of protein. You can even turn those ingredients into a “burger.” You can even use cauliflower and make a “pizza crust,” plus you’ll consume Vitamins C and K. Even carrots and coconut nut flakes prepared properly can taste like bacon. You’ll have the idea of binging on bad food without having any of the guilt.
Gluten-Free
Ancient grains contain a lot of nutrients that you wouldn’t otherwise be getting from junk food. There are quite a few ancient grains that you can consume like millet, amaranth, or sorghum. All of which, are gluten-free. By avoiding wheat, rye barley, and oats (unless it’s certified gluten-free) you may find yourself feeling much less fatigued.
Fats
Yes, some fats are healthy for you to consume. They include avocado, eggs, and fish (like salmon, tilapia, and cod.) They provide your brain with omegas, which can help you to focus and think clearer. Therefore, stress should reduce. Plus, avocados are high in many B vitamins, along with Vitamin E. As for eggs, they contain Vitamin E, D, and B12, which can help provide energy and stamina.
Teas
Then, there are certain teas that can aid in relaxation, take the edge off, and even help to promote a better night’s sleep, especially if you’re suffering from insomnia due to stress. Just think about chamomile, passionflower, kava kava, and rose tea. These teas provide a calming and soothing effect, so that you can unwind from the day instead of being completely wired.
As you can see for yourself, there are so many different types of food groups that can help your body and mind during stressful situations. Beverages and meals can provide you the comfort and support level you require.
So, don’t let your body fall ill. Prevent that with some extra fuel. You wouldn’t let a car go long without gas or oil, so don’t let your body go long without healthy nutrition. Nutrition is healing because the greatest wealth is health. Like Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.”