One cannot think well, love well, or sleep well if one has not dined well. — Virginia Woolf
Stress is a natural human response to address challenges.
Every human being responds to stress to some degree.
If I am stressed, I prefer to take a long walk or hit the gym.
It’s so interesting to learn that many foods have stress-relieving qualities.
The following 6 foods will help you to relieve stress.
Matcha
I had no idea Matcha has the power to reduce stress.
Matcha is a powder form of high-quality green tea.
The powder is whisked into hot water to create a foamy drink.
Matcha has more caffeine than green but less than brewed coffee.
Why is Matcha a good source of stress relief?
Matcha is rich in L-theanine, an amino acid with stress-relieving properties.
This research shows that Matcha may reduce stress levels, especially when its L-theanine is high.
Sweet potatoes
I love sweet potatoes.
I had this profound memory when I was a kid. In my primary school, an old gentleman baked sweet potatoes during the break.
He always bakes the potatoes in coal, then adds some lemon to serve students.
While growing up, I had no idea sweet potato was super healthy food.
According to this research paper, eating a sweet potato will help to lower your stress hormone cortisol.
Did you know that sweet potato has twice the fiber, twice the calcium & over 1300 times more vitamin A than white potato? They are also anti-inflammatory.
It’s my favorite carb choice. I primarily consume them because they are an excellent source of vitamin C.
Eggs
Eggs are the best food. Don’t worry about the cholesterol as long you are eatin’ in moderation. I consume 3–4 extra large eggs every day to kick start my mornings.
Eggs contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps to create serotonin.
The essential neurotransmitter regulates your sleep, mood, and behavior.
You can add boiled eggs to your diet to relieve stress.
Eggs are rich in choline, a nutrient needed to produce acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that impacts the portions of the brain responsible for reducing stress.
Garlic
While garlic is often used as a seasoning, a study showed that garlic lowered the levels of several stress-related hormones, including cortisol.
Garlic also contains antioxidants that support your body’s protective mechanism.
Research shows that these antioxidants may significantly reduce oxidative stress.
Broccoli
Broccoli is known as the most healthy food.
I consume almost every day. It helps in bowel movement. It’s also full of fiber.
Many studies show that foods rich in cruciferous may lower depression.
Broccoli is full of vitamin C, magnesium, and folate, which are paramount to reducing stress.
Blueberries
Our body craves vitamin C to help repair and protect our cells.
Blueberries are full of vitamin C.
Blueberries are also packed with antioxidants.
Vitamin C and antioxidants have been shown to provide anxiety relief.
Many research articles show that blueberries help to reduce stress levels.
I used to be super skinny. People always made fun of me. I was only 53 kg at 6.3 frames.
However, I started to hit the gym on a regular basis. Then, of course, I also hired a trainer. He suggested the following shake.
Power Shake to gain weight
1 cup of blueberries
1 cup skim milk
1/2 tbsp olive oil ( Later, I did an experiment to consume 1 tbsp olive oil each day for 30 days.
1 scoop Whey protein
1/3 scoop quick oats
Mix in the blender, and you can gain pretty healthy weight.
5 Foods to Stay Away
Comfort foods make you happy at the moment, but the healthy effects are short-lived.
Stay away from the following comfort foods that have been linked to stress, depression, and anxiety.
- Ice cream
- Energy sugar (more sugar, more caffeine)
- Hot dogs — processed foods
- Fried chicken
- Super salty treats
Takeaways
Stress is not what happens to us. It is our response to what happens. And the response is something we can choose. — Maureen Killoran
These foods are easily available.
Fortunately, I consume a lot of them on a daily basis, especially broccoli, eggs, Matcha, and sweet potatoes.
Tip: I highly recommend adding long walks into your schedule. It’s the ultimate stress reliever.
Thank you for reading. I wish you a happy and healthy life.
My Supplements Stack
I only consume proven and continuously consumed supplements by scientists like Andrew Huberman or experimental gentleman Tim Ferris. Supplements will help you enhance your overall life.
| What I Take & Why | Supplement Name – Optimize your health journey |
| Sleep Supplements Preferred to take 30 – 60 minutes before bedtime. | Magnesium L-Threonate –> 144 mg Apigenin –> 50 mg L-Theanine –> 200 mg |
| Supplements for Brain Performance | Creatine –> low dose (5 grams) taken daily Omega-3 Fatty Acids –> 2-3 of EPA daily1 Phenylethylamine (PEA) |
| Anti-inflammatory Supplements | Turmeric / Curcumin with Black Pepper -> Joint Support N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) –> Support immune function Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) –> for treating injuries Athletic Greens –> as “nutritional insurance” |
| Physical Performance + Recovery Supplements | Grass Fed Whey Protein –> Joint health and recovery Alpha-GPC –> Before a workout L-Tyrosine –> To enhance exercise performance Branched-Chain Amino Acids –> to enhance muscle building & recovery L-Glutamine –> for gut health and muscle recovery Zinc –> for exercise recovery (muscle damage) |
| Immune Support Supplements | L-Lysine –> to combat viral infections and cold sores Apple Cider Vinegar –> to boost immunity Medicinal Mushrooms –> to enhance immune function |
