Food can be soothing but fighting emotional or stress eating can be difficult. The good news is that you can relieve stress by eating certain foods and avoiding others. Stress can create cravings for sweet foods and carbs that may give a temporary sense of calm, but wear out way too fast. You may crave sugary snacks during moments of stress, but the more you eat of them, the worse your mood will get.
CALMING FOODS THAT WILL TRULY SOOTHE YOU ARE:
Cottage Cheese and Fruit. Cottage cheese is high in protein content but won’t cause a spike in blood sugar. Pair it with fruit that is high in vitamin C such as oranges or blueberries. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights free radicals that get released when you are stressed.
Asparagus. High in folic acid, which can help to stabilize your mood.
Tuna. A great option for lunch that is high in stress-fighting vitamins B6 and B12. Whole grain carbohydrates such as oatmeal, which can stimulate the release of serotonin, your feel-good brain chemical.
Dark chocolate can help reduce levels of cortisol and other stress hormones. Nibble only a little, as too much calorie dense chocolate can pack on the pounds. Chamomile tea at bedtime can create a wonderfully warm, and calming feeling. If you use food to battle stress, keep 'stress foods' like almonds on-hand and eat a handful slowly, one at a time.