foods that reduce stress
Indulge in Dark Chocolate. Dark chocolate in the diet can reduce stress in two ways â its chemical impact and its emotional impact. Chocolate feels like such an indulgence that it can be a real treat to simply savor a piece of it, and that feeling alone can help to reduce stress, says Meyerowitz.
10 Best Foods to Eat for Stress. Dark leafy greens like spinach are rich in folate, which helps your body produce mood-regulating neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. One 2012 study found people who consumed the most folate had a lower risk of depression than those who ate the least.
Almonds. Almonds are packed with variety of nutrients that help the body de-stress, notes the Cleveland Clinic. These include vitamin E to improve immunity, B vitamins that decrease anxiety and omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium to keep levels of the stress hormone cortisol low. Aim for an ounce a day, about 23 nuts.
Sometimes, it's the effect of a food or drink that can help reduce stress, not necessarily its nutrients. A warm cup of tea can actually calm many people, says Sandra Meyerowitz, MPH, RD, LD, online nutrition coach and owner of Nutrition Works in Louisville, Ky.