Stress Eating: Not Always a Bad Thing
by Ashley Sepanski

Image courtesy of Localwin.com

It’s that time of the year; finals, projects, internships, work and gorgeous weather to zap any and all productivity. When stress starts to take over, I’ve compiled a list of things to keep you cool.

For starters, PMS is a lovely plague that shows up once a month every month. A mouthful of aspirin can help, but so can the following:

Dark Chocolate. Enjoy some chocolate and indulge. Organic dark chocolate keeps sugar levels in check, which is crucial during those moody moments.

Sweet Potatoes. These potatoes help manage blood sugar levels and are more complex than the regular white ones in terms of carbohydrates.

Fennel. Apparently this mystery food, if eaten a week before your period begins, can work great as a diuretic.

B-vitamins. B-vitamins (from items like potatoes, bananas, and beer) are great for stress levels and energy.

If your period isn’t what has got you tweaked, check out these other miracle foods:

Blueberries. High in vitamin C, which has been shown to give the body added reserves to help it deal with high levels of stress, and high amounts of fiber, which help regulate blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels that fluctuate too much are a major contributor to stress for some people.

Low-fat or skim milk. Milk is very high in calcium and B vitamins, which help build your bones and protect nerve health. It’s also high in protein, and protein helps blood sugar stabilize.

Oranges. Oranges are rich in vitamin C. When you’re stressed, your body releases even more free radicals than usual and vitamin C helps keep those free radicals in check. Basically, it helps protect the body from the effects of stress.

Brown rice. All whole grains, including bulgur wheat, quinoa, oats and brown rice contain plenty of B vitamins and also supply serotonin-producing carbohydrates that do not spike blood sugar levels. They also contain tons of fiber.

Green vegetables. Broccoli, kale, and other dark green vegetables are vitamin packed and help replenish our bodies in times of stress. These veggies also contain potassium, which is good for nerves and can help keep you feeling calm and relaxed.

Dried apricots. Apricots are full of magnesium, which annihilates stress. Some people even say that magnesium helps reduce heart palpitations brought on by stress. It’s even a natural muscle relaxant. Apricots also are high in fiber and vitamin C. Be careful with over-consuming dried apricots, however, because all dried fruits are high in sugar and fructose.

Turkey. Turkey contains an amino acid called L-Tryptophan. This amino acid triggers the release of serotonin, which is that fuzzy, feel-good brain chemical. This is why many people who eat turkey feel relaxed, or even tired, after eating it. It has a proven calming effect.

Water. It’s not a food, but water is essential to good health. Maintain a healthy water intake because even a mild state of dehydration can stress your entire body. Keep your nerves steady by staying well-hydrated.

Ashley Sepanski, B-vitamins, Blueberries, brown rice, Dark Chocolate, dried apricots, Fennel, milk, oranges, PMS, stress, Sweet Potatoes