Back in the day, Big Momma, Momma, and Aunties treated ailments with natural herbs and plants. I remember dandelion tea, made from the dandelions in your yard, being used for multiple illnesses.

In this fast-paced, get-everything-done-now world we live in, many of us experience stress. We attempt to manage our stress by meditating, exercising, yoga, sleeping, and at times asking our physician for antianxiety medications.

Today I will introduce you to foods that may help reduce your stress. Stress food? Some foods can reduce cortisol and adrenaline levels. These two hormones are stress hormones that take a toll on our body. Do you know which foods are stress-busters? Let’s look at a few.

COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES

Complex carbohydrates prompt the brain to make serotonin, a calm chemical that helps us feel good. Complex carbohydrates take longer to digest. and may stabilize our blood pressure. Examples are whole-grain breads, and old-fashioned oatmeal, ( not the five-minute kind). Warm oatmeal boosts levels of serotonin. Pasta is another complex carbohydrate.

VITAMIN C

Oranges have a wealth of vitamin C and rein in the stress hormones. It has been proven people with high levels of cortisol who consumed Vit. C before a stressful task saw their cortisol levels return to normal quickly.

SPINACH

Too little magnesium can trigger headaches and fatigue which increase stress. One cup of spinach helps increase your magnesium levels. Other green leafy vegetables do the same. Also, try cooked soybeans or a filet of salmon.

FATTY FISH

Keep stress in check with omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon and tuna can decrease surges of stress hormones and protect against heart disease and depression. You should consume at least 3.5 oz twice a week.

BLACK TEA

Four cups of black tea daily will reduce your cortisol levels

PISTACHIOS

A handful of pistachios and other nuts and seeds can decrease your cholesterol, ease inflammation, and protect against effects of stress. Don’t overdo it as nuts are high in calories.

AVOCADOS

One of the best ways to decrease your blood pressure is to make sure you are getting enough Vit. K. 1/2 of an avocado has more Vit. K than a medium-sized banana. My typical breakfast at home is a whole avocado, sliced and sprinkled with fresh pepper and cayenne pepper. With the avocado, I have two strips of bacon and two boiled eggs. The eggs get the same topping. Guacamole made from avocado can be a good choice when stress has you craving a high-fat treat. It is a healthy fat.

ALMONDS

Almonds are full of Vit. E which boosts your immune system and Vit. B which makes you resilient to stress or depression. 1/4 c daily will do the trick.

RAW VEGETABLES

Crunchy raw veggies like celery and carrots help release a clenched jaw and can reduce tension and stress.

BEDTIME SNACK

Carbohydrates at bedtime can speed up the release of serotonin and help you sleep. Be sure to stick to a lighter carbohydrate.

WARM MILK

A glass of warm milk eases anxiety and mood swings. It helps you to relax and sleep.

HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS

There are many to fight stress, St. John Wort benefits mild to moderate depression and decreases anxiety. Another popular one is Valerian root which has a calming effect. Now if you are taking any prescription for any condition, DO NOT take herbal remedies without first checking with your pharmacist. I say the pharmacist versus your physician because they are more knowledgeable about drug interactions.

If you are feeling stressed, I implore you to try a natural remedy! Why??? Because they have no side effects.

Feeling stressed ???? Try the foods listed above and learn to use your food as medicine. There are no side effects!

Stay healthy!

Until next time,

Peace, Love, and Blessings