You know that saying, "you are what you eat!"? Well, there are so many ways that is very true. Think about how you feel after eating a burger and fries....heavy, sluggish, full...And how do you feel after eating fresh veggies or fruit or even lean meat? Light, re-fueled?
Take it a step further and strategize your meals to get the vitamins and minerals you may be needing in the moment. The general rule of thumb is to eat whole (non or minimally processed) foods while also incorporating as many colors in your foods. Colors signify specific vitamins and minerals that are abundent in that food. For example red and orange foods like sweet red peppers, sweet potatoes and carrots are high in Vitamin A or beta carotene and Vitamin C.
Now, let's work on de-stressing! Here are the best foods to help your body with that task.
Asparagus- B vitamins
Avocado- Glutathione and folate
Berries- Vitamin C
Carrots- or other crunchy vegetables help beat stress
Dark Chocolate- triggers release of serotonin
Oranges- Vitamin C
Oysters- Zinc
Salmon- omega 3s
Swiss Chard- magnesium (helps balance stress hormone, cortisol)
Walnuts- Brain friendly alpha- linolenic acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acid, and other polyphenols
