Healthalicious Comfort Foods

People cope with stress in different ways. One common method (and a very good one!) is by exercising. Others prefer to take out stress on a punching bag, stress ball, stress doll, etc. Another method - and probably the most popular - is eating. “comfort foods” such as ice cream become our best friend and therapist when we eat until we are too full to care about what was bothering us. This is one of the most unhealthy ways to deal with stress. If you are still inclined to tackle stress with food, try healthy comfort foods. This article on Yahoo! provides seven healthy foods which can be substituted for the norm:

1. Berries - the article suggests that frozen berries are perfect for popping like candy, but without the sugar crash, as the carbs in berries convert to sugar slowly. As an added benefit, they are a good source of vitamin C, which is also a stress fighter.
2. Guacamole - Stress depletes B vitamins and avocados are rich in vitamin B, a vitamin which the body needs for maintenance of nerve and brain cells.
3. Mixed nuts - walnuts are a good source of vitamin B, Brazil nuts are a good source of zinc and almonds are rich in vitamin E, all of which are stress fighters. Just be sure to consume fresh nuts, not canned, as those are usually high in sodium.
4. Oranges - Vitamin C is a stress fighting vitamin, and as we all know, oranges are an excellent source of it. The article states that taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C before giving a speech lowers cortisol and blood pressure levels, which could make the speech go much more smoothly. The thing to remember here though, is that an orange doesn’t have THAT much vitamin C. You will have to eat a lot of oranges to get 1,000mg. The easiest option in that instance would be to take vitamin C supplements.
5. Asparagus - An great source of folic acid, which has been associated with lightening mood and fighting depression.
6. Chai - like milk to a baby, warm, fragrant tea can soothe the mind and body.
7. Chocolate - Not a stress fighter, but this traditional comfort food is just so delicious that an exception was made for it. Go for dark chocolate with about 70% cocoa.

Next time you feel stressed and start craving comfort foods, remember this Healthalicious list!

Written by: Donnell
Peavy