Stress is enough to drive us crazy! Anything can be the cause of stress in our lives—it could be work, domestic issues, money, kids; practically anything.

Different people have different ways of dealing with stress. Some of us do yoga, some do kick-boxing, others go to a shooting range, some simply like to talk about it and the rest of us just eat! The problem with stress-eating is that we usually go for the unhealthiest of foods—foods that satisfy our taste buds more our body.

Eating foods such as these tend to do the trick; for a few minutes, anyway. But a stressed out health practitioner will probably know why this is. Different foods raise and lower the body’s blood sugar differently. Different foods have different effects on our systems. That’s why eating certain foods can have certain effects on our moods, either on a longer or shorter term.

So, the question remains: what is the best way to eat to beat stress?

The easiest answer to that question is to “eat healthy”. However, not every cup of herbal tea or carrot juice will work. But, it doesn’t hurt to give it a try.

Sweet potatoes, for example, are rich in carbohydrates, beta carotene, fiber and tryptophan. Tryptophan is a vital amino acid that converts into serotonin, that amazing hormone that makes us feel great! Beta carotene helps to boost the immunity when our stress levels are through the roof. Fiber helps to stabilize the amount of sugar in the blood, which often becomes inflated when stress is high.

Asparagus is rich in folic acid and B6. Both of these help boost the body’s dopamine levels. Dopamine is essential in relaxing the brain.

Walnuts, almonds and other nuts contain high doses of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce cortisol levels in the body. And FYI, cortisol is the hormone responsible for stress. Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce adrenaline, which increases heart rate. The vitamin B that is concentrated in nuts helps increase carbohydrates that produce serotonin. The protein, from including nuts in our diet, also helps in the stabilization of sugar levels in the blood.

It’s important to know the nutrients that help stave off stress, so that when you eat to beat stress, you don’t delve into ice cream without thinking of the long-term negative repercussions of these alternative poor food selections. Ice cream may help for a few minutes, but what could some of the foods mentioned above do longer-term?

Though this may not be rocket-science for some of you, for many of you, it is very new information! Need a new perspective and guidance on your MUCH HEALTHIER track…go here now!