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Top Ten Diet Tips for Stress Relief

Submitted by Nick on April 14, 2011

Most people deal with stress, by reaching out for comfort foods like ice cream, chocolate, sodas, chips, junk food and cookies. While these foods for stress may be tasty, most of them are extremely unhealthy and lead to feelings of guilt later, adding to your already existing stress levels. Therefore, the next time instead of opting for fattening, unhealthy diet for stress reduction, try some of the foods for stress relief given below, to help you cope with stress:

Water: Though water is not food technically, it is important to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day, as lack of water can cause dehydration. Even mild cases of dehydration can increase the stress levels in your body.
Skim milk: Low fat milk or skim milk is a good source of calcium, vitamin D and protein, which stabilizes the blood sugar in your body and decreases tension and stress.

Instead of eating ice cream when you feel low, blend some skim milk with frozen blueberries and a sweetener, to make a drink that can cheer you up.
Vegetables: Green vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli and other dark green veggies are packed with nutrients and vitamins that help to replenish your body, in times of stress.
Blueberries: These berries are very high in Vitamin C, which can give your body the extra reserves it needs, to manage high stress levels.

Blueberries also contain fiber, which can regulate the levels of blood sugar in your body.
Soy: Products made out of soy, like tofu, soy milk, soy nuts and tempeh are all high in Vitamin B, calcium, protein and magnesium, which can help your body combat stress.
Oranges: This fruit is very high in Vitamin C, which protects your body from the increasing effects of stress.

When you are going through stress, your body releases high amounts of free radicals. Vitamin C controls these free radicals and helps your body to fight the stress.
Poultry: The amino acid present in meats like chicken and turkey helps release serotonin, a chemical which has a feel-good factor, for the brain. That is why eating chicken or turkey can make a person feel relaxed and at times, tired too.
Dried apricots: They are very high in magnesium, which acts as a stress buster.

Magnesium is known to relax muscles, naturally. Apricots also contain vitamin C and fiber. However, as they contain sugar, they should be consumed in moderate quantities.
Brown rice: Whole-grains like brown rice, oats, quinoa and wheat contain high amounts of fiber and vitamin B and help in producing serotonin.
Sweet potato: Sweet potatoes are loaded with fiber, beta-carotene as well as other vitamins. In addition to that, sweet potatoes satiate the urge you get for sweets and carbohydrates, when you are dealing with stress.