Foods and Nutrients to Help Tame Stress

Everyone experiences stress one way or another. The feelings associated with stress can also lead to anxiety, sadness, depression, and isolation. Overcoming these feelings can be challenging, but one way to reduce stress is by incorporating certain nutrients and foods into your diet. Sometimes people cope with stress by eating foods that may enhance the levels of stress. These types of foods are typically known to be high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugar. However, there are certain foods that can help to have the opposite effect.

Studies have shown that specific nutrients and foods can help to reduce stress. The following nutrients and foods can actually help to regulate internal health, which in turn contributes to how you respond to external stressors:

• Omega-3 fatty acids: chia seeds, flax seeds, flax oil, walnuts
• Fiber: legumes, beans, vegetables, whole grains
• Magnesium: dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, legumes
• Antioxidants: spinach, berries, dark chocolate, pecans, kale
• B-vitamins: tempeh, peanuts, nutritional yeast, fortified breakfast cereals

The incorporation of these foods into your diet can help you achieve a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet. Balanced diets have been shown to help individuals cope with stressful circumstances because they regulate all the systems in your body, such as cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems.

Sometimes when you’re stressed or on-the-go, it may be challenging to have these food sources at hand, which is where OWYN’s Complete Nutrition Shakes come in handy. They are a good source of fiber, high in omega-3 ALAs, and contain antioxidants.