Quality Foods To Eat When You're Stressed

We've all been there before.

It's 3pm, you're oozing stress through your eyeballs, and you just want a freaking cookie. 

If you're prone to stress eating when life feels out of your control, check out these healthy, quality foods you can turn to instead. 

Here are some quality foods you can reach for when you're feeling stressed out that may help  stabilize your blood sugar, help you take back control of your emotions responses, and maybe even bring your stress levels down. 

The Future Is Green

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens contain a healthy dose of folate which actually helps you produce dopamine, your brain's happy chemical. 

Eat greens, feel good!

Avocados

Avocados have been shown to help you feel fuller longer (by up to 40%) which keeps you feeling calm, satisfied, and away from the pantry and candy jar. 

Lean, Mean Protein Machine

Eggs

Eggs are an excellent source of tryptophan, an amino acid that aids in the production serotonin which regulates mood, behavior, sleep, memory, and may even help to relieve anxiety. 

Turkey Breast

The infamous amino acid tryptophan (the reason why you feel like you're going into a food coma on Thanksgiving) has also been shown to elevate feelings of happiness and well-being. 

Under The Sea

Seaweed

Did you know that iodine deficiencies can trigger fatigue and depression?

No thank you!

Salmon

Salmon, and other high fat fish, contain boat loads of omega 3 fatty acids which are correlated with increased mental health and cognitive function.

Oysters

Oysters are basically little zinc monsters which may help you lower your body's stress response and increase your immune system!

Before You Go Nuts...

Seeds

Many seed, like the following, are high in magnesium. 

• Flaxseeds
• Pumpkind Seeds
• Sunflower Seeds

Magnesium is magical mineral that can help to regulate emotions by helping to reduce symptoms of depression, irritability, and even help keep PMS symptoms at bay. 

Not to mention, pumpkin seeds have a healthy dose of potassium which can help regulate blood pressure. 

Pistachios

The repetitive motion that you do with your hands while removing the shell of of pistachios can help you relax while lowering your blood pressure and heart rate. Bonus points if you play some relaxing tunes while you de-shell your pistachios. It's a mood. 

Cashews

Cashews are a solid source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc which can help reduce symptoms of anxiety. 

Don't Forget Your Roots

Beets

Replenish your body's folate levels with some good ol' fashion beets. 

Adequate sources of folate can help you fight off mental fatigue, disorientation, and trouble sleeping. 

Turmeric

Turmeric bring strong levels of curcumin to the table which helps to stimulate happy, feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. 

Keep It Fruity

Oranges

Not only do our little citrus friends pack a mean Vitamin C punch (with is great because stress can really take its toll on our immune system) but they can help bring down our cortisol levels. 

Chronically high cortisol levels can contribute towards increased brain fog, fatigue, and belly fat. 

... somebody pass me an orange already!

Blueberries

Help equip your body to fight off the wicked stress response inside of your body with antioxidants and phytonutrients that are found in blueberries!

Fitness Lover, Comfort Food Eater

Oatmeal

Often when we're stressed, we want carbs. Fluffy, doughy, sugary, glorious carbs. 

But taking our stress out on a donut or croissant can actually spike are already high blood sugar levels (stress does this too) so reaching for a complex carbohydrate like oatmeal can help us to flatten out those dreadful spikes! 

Dark Chocolate

No need to check your glasses, you read that correctly- dark chocolate. 

Did you know that dark chocolate is a great source of magnesium? Sufficient levels of magnesium may reduce symptoms of depression. 

Now I'm not saying to go eat a chocolate bar when you're stressed! Remember there's still refined sugars in there so be sure to turn to chocolate with a gentle approach and always listen to your body.

Yogurt

Happy gut, happy life! Or something like that, right? 

If the bacteria in your gut is happy, your body is much better suited to handled the stresses of work, relationships, finances, or your kids.

Plus, there's a healthy amount of protein and calcium in there as well! Just be sure there isn't too much sugar in your yogurt of choice. 

Make Tea, Not War

Green Tea

Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, is believe to have calming and anti-anxiety effects as it helps to produce serotonin and dopamine. 

Chamomile

Chamomile is amazing at reducing stress in the body for it's:

• anti-inflammatory properties
• antibacterial properties
• antioxidant properties
• relaxant properties

It's believed that the flavonoids found in chamomile contribute to managing anxiety. 

Chamomile is great to sip on before bed as it helps relaxation and quality sleep. 

So Many Great Alternatives To That Bag of Chips

As you can see, there are so many awesome alternatives to the sugary carbs and fatty processed chips! So the next time you're stressed out and feel like reaching for a cookie, reach for one of these quality foods so you can stay on track towards your fitness goals!

If you're looking for accountability and really determined to stay on track for the season, check this out!

For more awesome fitness tips and real talk, come hang out with me on Instagram! I'd love to connect with you over there! 🤗

xo Lindsay