***Super Foods that Help Fight Stress

No matter what you do for a living it seems some days life has a way of getting the best of us. Whether it’s working too many hours at your job, chauffeuring your kids all over town for their activities, taking care of your household, or dealing with personal or family matters, stress can take its toll on you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But there are simple steps you can take to combat stress, starting with the foods you eat.

You can fight stress by making simple changes into your eating habits. Here are several ways to fight stress naturally. The first suggestion is to avoid caffeine and alcohol. It is a good start when life’s particularly stressful. Stimulants and depressants like these can not only sap your energy, they can also rob you of the fuel you need to successfully cope with tension. In addition, sugary foods should also be avoided, as they cause your blood sugar levels to spike then dip rapidly. This means it can make your energy levels spike and dip at the same rate thus making it difficult to manage your emotions.

The good news is there are several superfoods out there that provide you with the energy and nutrition your body needs to keep stress in check

Asparagus, which is high in folic acid, can help level out your moods. Folic acid and vitamin B are key players in producing serotonin, a chemical that gets you into a good mood.

Although we may occasionally read or hear negative things regarding the consumption of red meat, it’s actually a wise dinner option for a stressed-out individual. Beef offers high levels of iron, zinc and B vitamins. These antioxidants not only help get you into a good mood, but help you stay there as well. Your local butcher can help you select lean cuts for the healthiest options

Milk really does a body good. Chock full of calcium, protein, antioxidants, and vitamins B2 and B12, it helps strengthen bones and promotes healthy cell regeneration. Paired with a healthy whole-grain cereal choice in the morning, low-fat milk is a great way to start your day and arm yourself to do battle with the stressors that await you.

Cottage cheese is also another great dairy choice, and when coupled with a fruit that’s high in vitamin C, it helps the body battle free radicals that run rampant during your most stressed periods.

Almonds are also an awesome choice when it comes to arming yourself against stress. They’re high in magnesium, zinc, as well as vitamins B2, C, and E and unsaturated fats, all which are great warriors against free radicals, which have been shown to increase the aging process and cause disease.