Comfort Food Made Healthy- Stress-busting Pantry Staples You Will Enjoy

Comfort Food Made Healthy- Stress-busting Pantry Staples You Will Enjoy

They say that stress makes us human. It is a normal part of life that even babies experience stress from time to time. Stress is a motivating factor that helps us reach our goals and overcome daily challenges. Too much stress can incur severe consequences to our health, especially if left untreated. It can slowly consume you when you’re not paying attention to its early symptoms.

From exercising regularly, writing down thoughts, spending time with family, and doing yoga, these are just some of the many ways to manage stress. While these are great recommendations, you might be looking for quick fixes to reduce stress quickly.

Of course, food is your greatest ally. Nothing feels better than munching on your favourite comfort food. But food can also make our stress level go up if we do not pay attention to what we eat. To avoid unhealthy eating patterns, we listed down five stress-busting foods that will light up your taste buds.

Arm yourself with this delicious lineup of stress-reducing foods and say goodbye to bad days! Comfort food made healthy – stress-busting pantry staples you will enjoy.

1. Herbal Tea

When faced with stressful life events, some people turn to alcohol to improve their mood. Although alcohol has anxiety-reducing properties and can lessen stress, it is also a potential stressor. That is why those who become too dependent on alcoholic drinks go through alcohol rehabilitation and treatment.

If you are looking for a stress-reducing beverage, herbal tea is a healthy alternative. According to experts, drinking a cup of tea goes beyond its nutrient properties. Aside from improving our brain health, the act of drinking warm tea makes us calmer.

Many people have shunned herbal tea because of its bitter taste. But tea companies have introduced tea flavours to make your tea sessions something to look forward to. They even developed gourmet tea blends, from chocolate, cinnamon, caramel, chamomile, and blueberry.

2. Dark Chocolate

Most people frequently associate chocolate with junk food. But there is a way to enjoy its flavorful cocoa without any guilt. Dark chocolate is the healthiest type of chocolate that comes with high cocoa content. When it comes to reducing stress, dark chocolate can ease all of your worries through chemical and emotional impact.

Like drinking tea, eating chocolate alone and simply savouring a piece can make a huge difference in reducing stress. Not only that, dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, a healthy chemical that reduces all your stress hormones in the body.

To ensure high-quality ingredients with no hidden chemicals or additives, it is best to choose high-quality chocolate but make sure to enjoy it in moderation.

3. Avocado

Avocados are classic staples added to a salad meal or mashed into guacamole. But what you didn’t know is that avocados consist of essential acids called omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost concentration.

The surprising benefits of avocados go beyond their essential acids. They also come with fibre, phytochemicals, and other essential nutrients. Basically, avocado helps in promoting better diet quality and nutrient intake.

Aside from salads, there are other delicious ways to enjoy the health benefits of avocado. Those with a sweet tooth can make a dessert mousse using avocado as your main ingredient. You can also find recipes online for avocado ice cream, gelato, and shake.

4. Whole Grains

A better way to beat stress and overcome negative emotions is to beat them with mood-stabilizing hormones. But where can you find them? Research says that carbohydrates help increase serotonin levels, a hormone that reduces stress and boosts mood.

Although eating unhealthy carbs leads to weight gain, you can opt for healthy, unrefined carbohydrates, such as whole grains and potatoes. Unrefined carbs do their wonders by improving concentration and focus. There are also cases when eating carbohydrate-rich meals can bring about comforting feelings and memories.

For those concerned about their blood sugar, you can settle for complex carbs that contain fibre and healthy nutrients. High-fibre food, such as brown rice, buckwheat, and whole rye, take longer to digest and have a lesser impact on blood sugar.

5. Fish

Take a break from your meaty diet by adding more seafood to your next meal. Fatty fishes are not only great sources of omega-3, but they come in a full package. Eating fish can fight stress, prevent heart disease, ease depression, and reduce the risk of stroke. You have plenty of options if you want to add fatty fish to your diet. These include sardines, mackerel, salmon, and tuna.

For those not fond of a fish diet, you can try whole-food options as your alternative. You can try chia seeds, seaweed, walnuts, and other fortified food. You can also consult your doctor or dietician if taking a fish oil supplement works for your diet.

Finding ways to reduce stress should be an enjoyable experience. But if you are suffering from persistent stress, it is best to seek help from a professional. Remember that the suggestions above can only do their wonders if you compliment them with activities that also help reduce stress. The secret to overcoming stress is knowing how to manage it with the help of diet and physical exercise.