Healthy diet to fight stress

You can reduce your level of stress just by eating right, and have the added benefit of increased health and beauty. Here’s what you need to know!
Fight stress with a healthy diet Photograph: GoogleFight stress with a healthy diet Photograph: Google

Stress is one of the biggest problems faced by people today. Stress is basically a physical reaction and it starts when a person feels vulnerable or besieged. As we get busy and stressed, we tend to make poor nutritional choices that can actually increase our stress levels and cause other problems. Studies have shown that food and stress are linked together. Diet plays an important role in maintaining our physical as well as mental health. Signs of stress generally are fatigue, headache, constant health problems, stomach disorders and giddiness. Proper diet and rest is one of the best ways to get relieved of stress.

1. Despite the best advice, most people under stress neglect food, so at least start your day with 5 almonds and either milk/lassi/protein drink or egg. You can also start a multivitamin multi-mineral supplement during the stress period.
2. Try not to skip lunch and if you do not have the time to eat then always keep a packet biscuits.
3. Avoid heavy and late dinners. Instead of the regular atta roti (wheat chapati) for dinner, use a healthier atta with a mix of channa, soy, wheat, ragi, mung. On weekends try to take rest and a light dinner.
4. Avoid consuming too much of tea and aerated drinks. For people who are prone to eating processed food, try having muesli with milk if nothing else is available at home. It can be made at home also with equal mix of cornflakes, oat flakes, rice flakes, wheat flakes.

Here are some food that will help you keep stress at bay
1.Fiber – Green, yellow and orange vegetables are very good source of fiber. Vegetables like carrot, capsicum, tomatoes, should be included in the diet for stress treatment. Food rich in fiber can be helps control stomach disorder and maintain the right bowel system.
2.Milk – Milk is rich in tryptophan which maintains serotonin. Serotonin is a mood stabilizer, which helps to control stress level. Mood swings is one of the basic features of stress and milk helps in controlling that.
3.Apricots – Apricots are rich in magnesium, which is a natural stress buster. It is also a good source of vitamin C and is rich in fiber. It helps in relaxing the tensed muscles and nerves.
4.Fish – Too much of stress may lead to a weak heart and fish is the best source for a healthy heart. Fish contain Omega fatty acid which keeps the heart healthy and is also a memory booster. Fish diet for stress is one of the major requirements.
5.Sweet – If you are stressed then indulge into some sweet treat. Sweet, helps in controlling the stress impulses in brain. This helps in controlling your stress level. Sweet diet for stress works wonders. Sweet also generates a feel good factor which helps one to get rid of stress.
6.Water – Drink loads of water. This helps your body to stay hydrated. Stress tends to dehydrate the body and water prevents it. A stressed person may also develop acidity problem. Water helps to wash out all the extra acid and thus keep your digestive system healthy.