When we get stressed most of us tend to unconsciously eat unhealthy foods and don’t realize how much we are eating. Weight gain doesn’t happen overnight; it has a way of creeping up on us.
If you’re having trouble staying away from unhealthy foods or eating too much in general, doing a detox-cleanse is a great way to help you get back on the healthy track.
Food is medicine
If you're "stressed-out", in addition to doing a detox-cleanse, here are some foods that assist in reducing stress:
- Dark Green Leaf Vegetables- spinach, collard greens, kale, turnip greens and romaine lettuce
These veggies are high in folate also known as vitamin B-9, is vital for brain function and plays a very important role in mental and emotional health; helping your body to produce neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. These are your feel-good hormones. Feeling good equals less stress.
- Wild Fermented Vegetables
Your gut is considered your second brain, the key to a better state of mind is a healthy, happy gut. The beneficial bacteria also known as probiotics found in wild fermented veggies, will assist in improved brain function especially regarding stress. They support availability of GABA, a calming neurotransmitter.
When I was a young girl, would watch my grandmother fill very large mason jars with green tomatoes. She would add water and salt, seal the jars and carry them upstairs to the attic where they stayed for what seemed forever. I mention this becasue you want a quality product when purchasing wild fermented vegetables. There are some amazing brands with integrity properly producing wild fermented veggies. There are also brands leading you to believe their product has benefits for you, when in fact, they will hurt your gut more than help it. When purchasing be sure to read the label! The ingredients should be very basic; water, vegetables and salt.
- Dark Chocolate
Studies have proven eating DARK chocolate every day can reduce stress since, dark chocolate helps to lower levels of stress hormones such as cortisol. However, it’s important to read the label and make sure you’re not eating sugar. Cacao and Cocoa should be the first ingredient and moderation is key.
- Mushrooms, Salmon, Sardines, Egg Yolks and the Sun
What do mushrooms, salmon, sardines, egg yolks and the Sun have in Common? Vitamin D
Low Vitamin D levels have been associated with stress and anxiety. As for the Sun, it's great to get out in natural sunlight everyday and you may think just being out in the sun is enough Vitamin D for you. However, there are some of us, who simply cannot absorb this vitamin through the skin, from the sun. With that said, eating salmon, egg yolks, mushrooms and tuna are good natural sources of Vitamin D or if needed, take a Vitamin D supplement. I usually recommend 2000 IU to start. Nevertheless, it is best to have blood tested to know what your levels are so you can supplement accordingly.
- Avocados
These little powerhouses are an anti-estrogenic food, meaning they can block estrogen absorption in the body while promoting the production of progesterone in women and testosterone in men. They will help balance estrogen levels for better health. When your hormone levels are balanced, you absolutely have less stress. In addition, they also have potassium, vitamin E and B vitamins which help to reduce stress levels as well.
- Nuts and seeds
Almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, cashews, pine nuts, flaxseed, and pecans all have high levels of Magnesium. This macro-mineral helps with the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin. Stress can be a cause of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is calming and assists in promoting a restful sleep which is super important when it comes to keeping stress levels low.
If you are interested in a jump-start back to healthy eating routine and assistance reducing stress in your body, check out our collection of detox-cleanses.
To your health!
Much love,
Aster