Stress-beating eating
Monday, 11 January 2010 15:42
Here’s how you can improve your stress levels through sensible eating. - Prevent low blood sugar – don’t skip meals. Eat regular, healthy, small meals.
- Avoid stimulants which may increase anxiety, such as caffeine.
- Keep a store of low-energy snacks handy such as carrot and celery sticks, unbuttered popcorn, chewing gum, rice cakes spread with Marmite and the odd hard sweet to satisfy your sweet cravings.
- Sip away your stress: herbal teas with chamomile, lemon balm, lavender, and valerian, together with a spoonful of honey, soothes the nerves.
- Eat calming foods: tryptophane, an amino acid, boosts the formation of serotonin, the ‘feel good’, calming brain chemical. Unrefined carbohydrates, nuts and bananas are rich in tryptophane.
- Boost your energy levels. Small amounts of protein (cheese, eggs, chicken, meat) contain the amino acid tryptamine that can give you a boost when stress tires you out. Take ready prepared portions to work.
- Be carb wise. Avoid refined starches like white bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. High-fibre, whole-grain alternatives break the cycle that stimulates hunger by keeping blood sugar levels stable. Fruits, vegetables, low-fat yoghurt and cottage cheese work well, too.
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