Fight Stress With These Five Food Tips

Whether your stress is physical or emotional, it changes the way your body uses and absorbs nutrients. So be sure your body is getting the nutrients your speeding metabolism needs. It's also important to eat foods that calm you down rather than make your stress worse. The tips at right should help you do both.

Here's why:

• When your body is under stress, you need more vitamin C than usual. A glass of orange juice will supply the extra you need.
• Drinking at least eight glasses of water or juice will keep you from getting dehydrated, an additional stress on your body.
• Water is better for you than sugary sodas or caffeine, both of which can aggravate stress levels.

2. Have a banana, some high-fiber cereal, and some low-fat yogurt for breakfast.

Here's why:

• Bananas are high in vitamin B6, which your metabolism requires when it's running at higher speeds. (Vitamin B supplements are not necessary; unbalanced supplements may even put additional stress on your body.)
• Your digestive system will feel the effects of stress, so getting plenty of fiber throughout the day will help you weather the storm.
• The yogurt contains protein, which a stressed body needs, but it doesn't contain fat. A low-fat diet helps to bolster your immune system: a high-fat diet may sabotage it.

3. Stick to one cup of coffee, and avoid caffeine the rest of the day.

Here's why:

• Caffeine puts your whole system under stress, speeding you up while reducing mineral absorption. Caffeine causes anxiety. It's the last thing you need.

4. Resist the urge to snack on sweets. Eat whole grain breads, bagels, and pastas instead.

Here's why:

• When your body is under stress, it produces stress hormones. One of those hormones causes the brain to secrete a substance called NPY that causes extreme sugar cravings.
• If you satisfy those cravings with sugar, you'll be on a sugar roller-coaster for the rest of the day (and consuming lots of empty calories).
• It's far better to eat a bagel, bread, or pasta to satisfy your sugar cravings. These whole-grain carbohydrates will stimulate your brain's production of serotonin, a calming chemical.

5. Instead of putting away a few beers or martinis after work, go for a walk, or play a game of basketball.

Here's why:

• Alcohol might seem to reduce stress, but it actually puts more stress on your body.
• Exercise actually burns up stress chemicals in the body, along with extra calories, making your body feel more relaxed and energetic. Not only that, but exercise will take your mind off the things that are stressing you out, leaving your mind calmer and clearer.