Diet & Fitness 

Advertisement

Foods that fight stress

This is a tough question, as it varies from person to person. I'd begin by trying to limit refined carbohydrates as much as possible, as those foods can (easily) cause blood-sugar swings that lead to anxiety, irritability, headaches, confusion and other signs of stress. Such foods include refined sugar and anything made with it, refined white flour and its products such as bread or pasta, and vegetables that are high in starch, such as potatoes (chips!).

Foods high in calcium and magnesium can be calming, as these two minerals help relax muscle fibers. Fresh dark-green, leafy vegetables are excellent in this regard. I also use calcium and magnesium supplements, though I don't give calcium alone.

Herbs or supplements that can provide a noticeable relaxing effect, which never hurts when you're really stressed out, include valerian (where the idea for Valium came from). It's available at good health food stores. The need to avoid caffeine 'foods' (such as chocolate, tea, coffee, soft drinks and so forth) goes without saying, as being hyper is hardly conducive to handling stress.

Dr A.N. Spreen

Delicious     Digg     reddit     Facebook     StumbleUpon

  Get the latest iVillage news on your desktop    Sign up for more iVillage RSS feeds

© iVillage Limited 2000-2008. All rights reserved. | © iVillage inc. 1995-2008. All rights reserved.
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB