Food - 5 Stress Reducing Foods To Eat Today

Occasional circumstantial stress may be unavoidable, but chronic stress can negatively impact your emotional and physical health.

Did you know that certain foods and beverages may have stress-relieving qualities? Here are some items that may help you manage your stress, as well as some recipes to use them!

1. Swiss Chard - Just 1 cup of cooked Swiss chard contains 36% of the recommended intake for magnesium, which plays an important role in your body’s stress response. Recipe: Zuppa Toscana Soup
2. Artichokes - Artichokes are an incredibly concentrated source of fiber and especially rich in prebiotics, a type of fiber that feeds the friendly bacteria in your gut. One review demonstrated that people who ate 5 or more grams of prebiotics per day experienced improved anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as that high quality, prebiotic-rich diets may reduce your risk of stress. Recipe: Beef Steak & Lentil Salad
3. Eggs - Whole eggs are particularly rich in choline, a nutrient found in large amounts in only a few foods. Choline has been shown to play an important role in brain health and may protect against stress. Recipe: Cheesy Baked Eggs
4. Chickpeas - Chickpeas are packed with stress-fighting vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, potassium, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, manganese, and copper. These delicious legumes are also rich in L-tryptophan, which your body needs to produce mood-regulating neurotransmitters. Recipe: Grilled Chickpeas with Kale & Red Peppers
5. Blueberries - Blueberries are high in flavonoid antioxidants that have powerful anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. They may help reduce stress-related inflammation and protect against stress-related cellular damage. Recipe: Almond Blueberry French Toast Casserole