Stress! It can feel like a constant companion. While we all may be familiar with the feelings of stress, the effects on our eating and health can sometimes be a mystery. But what is stress? It is any physical, mental, or emotional strain, and it can have serious consequences when felt over long periods of time. It can impact what we eat through cravings, overeating, or undereating. It can impact our motivation to cook or be physically active, and can even affect our immune response leading to colds or illnesses.
So how can we limit the impact of stress on our health?
Stress can be sneaky. In today’s world, because we move so quickly from job to soccer practice to school and back again, it can be difficult to recognize when stress is straining our bodies. It is possible to not even recognize feelings of stress until the negative health effects have already started to set in. By listening to our bodies and recognizing when we are stressed, we can combat the health consequences of too much stress early on!
Taking care of ourselves when life seems all-consuming can feel like a low priority. When things get hectic, it is common to sacrifice sleep, mealtime, or exercise to make up some extra time. These sacrifices can throw our bodies into survival mode. This can induce the fight or flight response, making it more difficult to sleep, avoid illness, or even relax when things calm down.
While there may not be a miracle cure for stress, there are foods that both fuel and nourish our bodies, keeping our health on the right track.
Antioxidants: These can help stop or delay damage to cells. Some examples include: tea, blueberries, beetroot, beans, tomatoes, kale, and even (!) dark chocolate.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These can help fight against inflammation in the body, which is a stress response. Some examples include: nuts, flax and chia seeds, soy products, and fish.
Vitamins: Certain foods are high in nutrients like vitamins C, B6, and E that help bolster our immune system to offer extra protection during stressful times. Some examples include: citrus fruits, dark leafy green vegetables, bell peppers, and garlic.
Certain foods can put strain on our bodies, or can exacerbate the stress response. Caffeine, for example, can affect sleep and cause dehydration. Alcohol can also dehydrate us and acts as a depressant. Foods high in sugar and calories can leave us feeling bloated, sluggish, and tired.
