Food is one thing that is loved across borders; each region might have a different cuisine, or every individual can have their favorite dish, which can help them feel happy at all times! With busy schedules and hectic lifestyles, our food habits have definitely taken a toll on our bodies and minds. Did you know that processed food can be the primary cause of stress? Studies have shown that eating unhealthy food can be a leading cause of stress and anxiety, which are not only bad for our mental health but our holistic health!
While our busy lifestyles make making healthy food choices difficult, there are simple ingredients that help us incorporate low-stress diets into our daily routines. Low-stress foods include natural, unprocessed foods that contain nutrients and ensure that they do not elevate the cortisol levels in our body, which are the primary chemicals that cause stress!
In this article, we look into how a low-stress diet can help maintain a healthy and stress-free lifestyle.
Understanding the Connection Between Diet and Stress
Healthy snacks are filled with vitamins, minerals, healthy fatty acids, and fiber, all of which are extremely important to keep the body healthy. A healthy diet eventually leads to an active lifestyle, which helps maintain a healthy body and mind. At the same time, packaged food and processed chemical-laden food do not contain the required nutrients to lead an active lifestyle but contain harmful substances and cortisol-amplifying chemicals that can increase our body's stress level and cause physical and mental harm.
Key Nutrients for Stress Reduction
Here are a few essential nutrients that can help you manage stress levels -
- Vitamins - Vitamin B significantly decreases stress levels by regulating serotonin and dopamine, vital in managing challenging and stressful situations. (1)
- Minerals - Magnesium, Selenium, and Zinc help manage stress by helping vital muscles like the heart to relax, releasing cellular energy throughout the body, and complementing Vitamins B and antioxidants to perform their tasks, respectively. (2)
- Antioxidants - The antioxidants present in seeds, berries, and leafy green vegetables help the body's cells from oxidizing and help lead an active life, which is vital for stress management. (3)
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Similar to Vitamin B, Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce muscle inflammation, which plays a significant role in supporting the body to relax from stress! (4)
Top Foods That Promote a Relaxed State of Mind
The food items that help in cultivating a low-stress diet and promote a relaxed state of mind are -
Leafy Greens - Leafy greens are rich in fiber and minerals like magnesium, which help manage stress levels. Leafy greens also supply folate, a B vitamin that helps lower stress and muscle inflammation, which is essential in stress management.
Nuts & Seeds - Nuts and seeds are rich in antioxidants that help reduce stress levels. You can now buy roasted seeds mix online from our website at www.srisritattva.com!
Berries are also rich in antioxidants that help manage stress while not compromising on taste!
Fermented Food - The probiotics in fermented food like Lactobacillus help in reducing stress and anxiety to a great extent!
Incorporating Low-Stress Foods into Your Diet
Meal Planning - Planning is the key to a healthy diet. We recommend you plan your meals by incorporating healthy ingredients. This will help you stay active throughout the day and manage stress.
Healthy Snacking - You can complement your meals by adding delicious snacks that double as garnish for your healthy snacks. You can now buy our healthy roasted seeds mix online by visiting our website!
Mindful Eating Practices - By understanding your nutrient requirements, you can make healthy eating fun and delicious. These nutrient-rich foods are filling, which helps make developing mindful eating practices easy to start!
We hope this article has helped you understand the relationship between a low-stress diet and our health. To incorporate more mindful snacks into your diet, visit us at www.srisritattava.com and explore our range of healthy food!