7 Ways to Beat Stress By Eating Right

With the deadlines to meet, cell phones stuck to the ears, laptops finding their ways on vacations, technological advances have shrunk leisure time and expanded professional life, leading to increasingly busy and stressed lives.

Stress is not something that just grips us and lets us go; chances are, it changes us in more profound ways than imagined. Stress can alter our bodies, brains, and eating habits.

The body responds to stress by increasing the release of free radicals (chemicals that weaken the immune system, exposing the body to degenerative diseases), hormonal imbalances, altering eating behavior, and affecting overall productivity and well-being.

Eating under stress is a health behavior that has been overlooked. While some individuals tend to eat during or after stressful periods, others tend to lose their appetite and lose weight.

Beat Stress By Eating Right:

1. Eat smaller and more frequent meals to ensure a steady stream of energy and a calming effect on the brain. Avoid large meals.

2. Choose adequate amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables like Indian Gooseberry (amla), citrus fruits, tomatoes, green peppers, green leafy vegetables, kiwi, broccoli, and strawberries, to ensure good vitamin C status.

3. Minimise intake of white flour, white rice, sweetened beverages & sugar. Choose whole grains like oats,  barley, brown rice, and whole wheat; pulses, nuts and seeds, low-fat dairy, seafood, lean meats, green leafy vegetables, and wheat germ, to ensure adequate intake of vitamin B and Zinc

4. Avoid junk food and poor-quality fat (hydrogenated- trans fats).

6. Snack smart on fresh fruits, dry fruits, honey-coated nuts, seeds, roasted whole grains, soups, salads, hot chocolate, almond milk, or yogurt, to prevent swings in blood sugars and cravings.

7. Drink plenty of fluids and remain well hydrated. Green tea, jasmine tea, and chamomile tea help calm the mind. Take tea coffee and caffeinated beverages, including colas, in moderation.