10 Yummy Foods That Help Relieve Anxiety
Eating certain foods can help you feel at ease if you struggle with anxiety and fidgeting. While it may seem like whole food is not as effective as medicines, you know what, nutritionists are right: people who put superfoods on their plates tend to be healthier and calmer than those who rely on sugary treats and processed snacks.
Whether you suffer from chronic anxiety or experience fidgeting once in a while, the following ten foods promote calmness, relieve anxiety, and ward off the early signs of depression. A hidden bonus: they are all super healthy and yummy.
1 Blueberries
The reason blueberries top my list of yummy foods that help relieve anxiety is because they are overflowing with vitamin C and antioxidants, making these tiny berries powerful stress-busters. Your body needs antioxidants and vitamin C to protect and repair cells. The antioxidants in berries help prevent aging caused by chronic stress.
When it comes to fighting anxiety, it is best to eat fresh blueberries. However, if you are not a big fan of their taste, try using them in smoothies or eat them with Greek yogurt.
2 Avocado
Avocado is also one of the foods that relieve anxiety and stress, as it is chock full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids that can have a comforting effect and keep your brain functioning well. It is also a great source of potassium that helps keep your blood pressure at bay.
It is not only an ingredient for delicious guacamole but also a source of Omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. These substances are known to relieve anxiety, increase concentration and improve mood. In addition, some studies show that eating omega-3 improves the condition of people with depression. So, shortly, avocado is a source of both nourishment and pleasure. Use it in your salads, smoothies, or sushi to reap its best health benefits.
3 Almonds
Do you know what almonds contain? Vitamins B2 and E, among the others. Vitamins B2 help strengthen your immune system when you are stressed out and produce serotonin, a hormone that helps control mood and relieve anxiety. Zinc also eliminates some of the negative effects of stress, and vitamin E is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, the main cause of stress and heart disease.
Moreover, homemade almond butter is also considered one of yummy foods that help relieve anxiety. But if you watch your calorie intake, consume no more than a quarter cup per day. Walnuts and cashews are perfect options too.
4 Kefir
Kefir is usually overlooked because yogurt is always handy, but this fermented food can work miracles on your nervous system. Kefir is one of the most probiotic-rich foods and a low-calorie product. The probiotics found in kefir keep your gut healthy, and when your gut is healthy, your anxiety has no chance of existing.
Kefir can relieve muscular and nervous system tension. It can relax and relieve stress after a hard day and help the body sleep. In addition, the drink will help to fight insomnia because it contains tryptophan. Therefore, by drinking this one of the yummy foods that help relieve anxiety, you can trim your body and banish stress and anxiety at the same time.
5 Dark chocolate
By swapping out the sugary treats for a raw cacao or dark chocolate (look for 70-85% cocoa) you can drastically relieve anxiety. Eating about an ounce of dark chocolate per day can reduce your anxiety level and combat seasonal depression.
There are 155 calories, 5 grams of saturated fat, 1.4 g of protein, 12 mg of caffeine and 2 g of dietary fiber in a piece of dark chocolate. Moreover, this one of the yummy foods provides 10% of your daily recommended intake of magnesium and 12% of iron.
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6 Whole grains
Bread, cookies, bread, and other whole-grain foods contain carbohydrates that increase the happiness hormone serotonin. Serotonin is a calm-inducing hormone that helps to prevent mood swings, relieve anxiety, and ward off depression and other brain-related disorders. Brown rice and whole wheat bread contain carbohydrates, which play a crucial role in serotonin production.
At the same time, whole grains provide the body with complex carbohydrates: they are digested more slowly, which has a good effect on blood sugar levels and also contain fiber, which is good for digestion.
7 Asparagus
Asparagus can brighten any meal up and is available year round, making it one of the best foods that help relieve anxiety. Eat asparagus for your daily dose of folic acid, an essential nutrient that helps to improve neurotransmitter function, reducing anxiety and fidgeting.
Put some asparagus on your dish in the morning and feel calm all day long. A cup of asparagus contains only 27 calories, so you can consume them totally guilt-free. It is also packed with vitamins A, B6, and C, along with magnesium, iron, and calcium.
8 Seeds
Seeds are other yummy foods that help relieve anxiety. Seeds are rich in omega-3 fats that have been shown to relieve stress and increase brain function. In addition, eating seeds like flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia, and hemp seeds help reduce and prevent inflammation and improve your sleep thanks to their l-tryptophan content.
There are many ways to use seeds in your meals. But, no matter what way you choose, be sure you are getting only healthy nutrients, which are good for your overall health and help relieve anxiety.
9 Eggs
When your brain does not get enough B vitamins, it can’t function at its best. B vitamin deficiency leads to irritability, mood swings, and anxiety. Eggs are high in B vitamins, including choline, a macronutrient that is related to the Vitamin B complex and essential for brain health. Eggs are also plentiful in protein, vitamin D, vitamin A, and potassium. It sounds like a great reason to always have eggs on hand to relieve anxiety.
10 Oranges
Finally, oranges are also one of the most yummy foods that help relieve anxiety. Oranges reduce the stress hormone cortisol and help you keep your blood pressure under control. Antioxidants found in citrus fruits, including oranges, protect the body from free radicals that cause stress. This action is primarily due to vitamin C. It helps absorb iron and DNA repair, as well as reduce cortisol levels, one of the stress hormones. In addition, vitamin C found in oranges strengthens your immune system and prevents premature aging.
Whether you eat whole oranges or drink freshly squeezed orange juice, you improve your mental health, thus reducing anxiety.
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When it comes to anxiety, it all depends on the choices you make in the shopping cart. Enjoy these ten yummy foods to relieve anxiety and prevent depression. Since they are diet-friendly, you can enjoy them each day. What are your most effective ways to beat anxiety?
