Stress has become an all-pervasive part of modern lives due to our lifestyle habits. While a little amount of stress is essential to keep you going, stress experienced daily can have both short-term and long-term effects on your physical and mental health.
To cope with this stress, sometimes people adopt unhealthy mechanisms, which can do more harm than good. If you tend to rely on feel-good food when you’re stressed, you might be going through what experts call stress eating.
A type of emotional eating, this practice can lead to unhealthy eating patterns, overeating, digestive issues and even weight gain. To solve this problem, recently nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar took to Instagram to share 3 foods you can consume if you tend to stress eat, instead of opting for unhealthy foods that are high in sugar and carbs.
Find out the foods that are healthy alternatives if you are stress eating. (Source: Freepik)
Peanuts
This common food item contains vitamin B6 and magnesium. Just a few peanuts can help you avoid feeling bloated, which you may experience while stress eating. It is recommended to have them as a mid-afternoon snack.
Cashew nuts
This is another nut that you should keep stocked in your kitchen or carry when you’re headed outside. Rich in iron and magnesium, these nuts can give you a much-needed boost whenever you’re feeling dull. It is suggested to have them before bedtime with milk.
Dry coconut
Dry coconut promote satiety, which helps you manage stress eating better. It contains lauric acid, which can improve your hair and skin health. It can be had with jaggery, or in the form of chutney accompanying your lunch.
Check out Rujuta’s reel below:
Similarly, Richa Anand, Chief Dietician, Dr. LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, Mumbai said that for alleviating stress, it is very important to incorporate a balanced diet.
“Several foods have been prescribed and linked to a reduction in stress. Omega-3 fatty acids are well known for their ability to support brain function and reduce stress, and this is richly found in foods like fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and trout as well as in walnuts and flaxseeds,” she said.
Additionally, Anand recommends including whole grains, leafy veggies, and berries in one’s diet that can deliver a considerable amount of vitamins and antioxidants, which are essential in battling stress and its negative consequences. Meals rich in magnesium, such as nuts, seeds, and dark chocolates are advised for relaxing the muscles and can also promote a general feeling of calmness and tranquility.
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Along with this, Shweta Gupta, Unit Head, Dietetics, Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh noted that mindful eating practices can counteract stress by encouraging deep breaths, making thoughtful food choices, focusing attention on meals, and chewing food slowly, which improves digestion.
“Consulting a qualified nutritionist and dietician for a personal dietary recommendation will also help in better health management,” she said.
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