Managing Stress: Junk Food Junkies Unite!

By Christina Noland

I know I just mentioned eating cheese to reduce stress and aid sleep. Put that at the back of your mind and focus on what you should be eating throughout the day to help keep stress at a minimum.

Stress eating usually translates into sugary food, like cookies, or comfort food, like chips or bread. These foods are good if you want to calm yourself down because they boost serotonin and melatonin levels.

But they won’t help you focus.

Junk food will make you drowsy and make it even easier to put off working, doing chores, or completing projects. Essentially, comfort food at the wrong time is actually stress inducing in the long run.

Here are some snacks that can help you keep focus and alert throughout the day while keeping your stress level low.

Berries

Blueberries in particular have been connected to reducing stress related to PTSD. They boost serotonin levels and have natural sugars to help keep you awake if you feel drowsy.

Fruits

Fruits that have high vitamin C will keep you awake, but real oranges with the full munch factor also help with stress relief. If you are feeling the stress spike, pick up an orange and take a few minutes to treat yourself. Bananas are also a great energy pick-me-up that help with stress.

Nuts

Cashews are extremely helpful with reducing stress. They pack 11% of the daily recommend value of zinc, which is essential to help combat anxiety.

For those who have nut allergies, a zinc supplement will do just fine.

Pro Gamer Tip

Do not eat or snack in front of your electronics or television if possible. Calm your mind and take time to taste the food you’re eating.

[Graphic by Christina Noland]