Foods That Shut Down Stress

Foods can help you deal with STRESS berry

Many times what we eat during times of stress are actually the foods that exacerbate the stress. The worst stress producers are foods such as coffee, cocktails, regular teas, caffeinated sodas, salty foods, candy bars, sugary desserts, and high fat foods. Be sure to read labels before buying easy foods like frozen dinners or mixes. So what should you eat?

CAFFEINE-FREE BEVERAGES: fresh juices, a natural source of soothing fruit sugars; herbal teas, provide trace minerals, such as zinc and selenium (without the irritants of regular tea).

Try: Chamomile and hops tea; grape, orange, or papaya juice as they provide tryptophan, an amino acid with a tranquilizing effect.

RAW VEGETABLES: Eating foods high in fiber can lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and tension in just weeks. Along with being a great source of fiber, they also contain nerve-soothing potassium, and they are naturally low in sodium. Plus, you get vitamins A and D, and folic acid.

Try: Dark salad greens: parsley, watercress, and dandelion (my personal favorite).

WHOLE GRAINS and NUTS: Great sources of vitamin E, potassium, pantothenic acid (an anti-stress B vitamin). These are nutrients often missing from fast foods, like a sweet roll or french fries. Magnesium (nature's tranquelizer) is abundant in nuts (get them unsalted).

Try: Bran muffins, oatmeal, wheat germ cereal, and salt-free nuts and seeds.

YOGURT: Rich in vitamins A, D, B-complex and a great lowfat source of protein, It is high in calcium which eases the stress of insomnia, migraine headaches, and menstrual cramps. Yogurt is digested 50% faster than regular milk or cheese, so it is very easy on the whole digestive system.

Try: A breakfast sundae made from alternating layers of plain yogurt and and freshly sliced berries. Top with toasted wheat germ or tangy sprouted sunflower seeds.

SEA VEGETABLES and SPROUTS: Kelp, dulse, and spirulina are 12% sodium, but high in protein, calcium, fiber, and vitamin A. They are great as a salt substitute or a snack. My husband's family is from Maine and they love to snack on dulse, a dried seaweed. It is an acquired taste, but I really like it sprinkled on a salad or chowder. A cup of fresh sprouts has more vitamin C than strawberries. The super health benefits of broccoli sprouts has been in the news.

Try: A vitamin C salad of sprouts, greens, and a dash of kelp.

SOYBEANS: Try bringing home the tofu, instead of bring home the bacon. Soy foods are a great source of calcium, magnesium, B-complex vitamins, protein, and tryptophan. It is lower in calories than meats. Plus with meat you get more sodium and saturated fats.

Try: Tuna salad with cubes of tofu mixed in, roasted soy "nuts" for a snack, or a tofu shake.

Next time you're stressing out, reach for a food that can help your body shut down stress, instead of something that might add to it.

*Adapted from an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, June 29, 1986,
"The Foods That Shut Down Stress" by Harold Rosenberg.

The Vegetarian Resource Group has more information on Vegetarian Diets for those interested.

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Š2003 JKH