9 Super Foods That Can Help You De-stress

The beginning of a work week bombarded with tons of work and deadlines can bring you stress. A tired body results to hunger causes you to grab food. And it's likely you'll grab the wrong ones and overeat them as well. 

Stress, for many, can spike up the appetite. So instead of reaching for unhealthy foods when inevitable stress- out hits, we have put together a list of 9 healthy foods for you to much on to help you de-stress but feeds your appetite. 

1. Green Leafy Vegetables

Remember the famous cartoon character Popeye? He is known for his great strength when he eats his spinach. Greens like spinach, kale and brocolli are rich with folic acid that helps the body produce mood-regulating neurotransmitters. One study in 2012 found out that people who consumed the most folate had a lower risk of depression than those who least ate it.

2. Avocado

This protein packed fruit is loaded with potassium. The healthy fats in this fruit promote blood flow to the brain, and are also linked to help lower blood pressure.

3. Cashews

Cashews are great source of zinc, a mineral that plays a major role in managing the body and brain's response to stress.

4. Dark Chocolate

Resent research shows that eating dark chocolate can help reduce levels of cortisol and catecholamines (hormones associated with stress). It has even been referred to as "the new anti-anxiety drug."

5. Tea

Drinking herbal teas can do miracles for your mind and body. Chamomile tea has relaxing and calming properties that helps people to have a better night sleep and alleviate stress, depression and anxiety.

6. Oranges

This fruit it packed with vitamin C. Eat them or juice them to enjoy their zesty and refreshing taste.

7. Blueberries

The antioxidants and phytonutrients found in berries fight in your defense,  helping improve your body's reponse to stress and fight stress-related free radicals.

8. Salmon

The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon have anti-inflammatory properties that may help counteract the negative effects of stress hormones.

9. Ginger

Ginger contains a potent antioxidant, gingerol which help cleanse the harmful chemicals in our bodies produced when we are worried. So it can help alleviating psychological stress too.

Source: today.com