Five foods that help you beat stress!

There is something about eating that soothes and relaxes us.  We can enhance our relaxation by our choice of foods. Instead of munching on cookies or potato chips, we can enjoy healthy foods to calm our mind. Stock these foods in your home or office and you can be sure of feeding your mind and soul while nurturing your body!
 
1. Oranges are loaded with Vitamin C – an important stress-busting vitamin. Eating oranges may also help fight your sugar craving because they are sweet.  They are also loaded with magnesium, calcium and fiber – all good for your body.   Not fond of oranges - try other fruits?  Consider berries - blackberries, cherries, strawberries - they are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, natural sugars and other powerful nutrients. One of my friends Madhu always buys boxes of berries during our business trips and I have found that it is very relaxing and revitalizing, munching on them at the hotel or in-between customer visits. Try fruits that you have never tried before - Have you ever eaten persimmons, mangoes, pomegranates or papaya?

2. Spinach - Did you know spinach came to us from Persia (modern day) Iran? Nearly half of your daily needs of magnesium are provided by one cup of spinach. Addition of spinach prevents magnesium deficiency, associated with migraine headaches and a feeling of fatigue. Leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce and collard greens are super-packed with iron, vitamins and healthy fiber.  Salad or lightly cooked/ stir fried vegetables are filling, delicious and make you feel more energized and revitalized.  Consider adding different color vegetables - egg plants, red/green orange peppers, avocados and mushrooms to your diet and see the difference!

3. Salmon – Do you feel sluggish in the afternoons after a large beef sandwich and soda? Try a grilled salmon dish with salad and skip dessert. As you may be aware salmon is a good source of Omega-3 – an essential fatty acid and a delicious source of protein.

4. Beans - OK - let us get done with the "gas" jokes.  Food containing beans do tend to make us gassy at times. Often, the condition improves as your body adjusts to the new diet. Two easy ways to get rid of the gas in beans - wash the beans after you cook them or you can add a drop of Beano - a food ingredient that contains a natural food enzyme that helps breakdown the fiber and prevent gas. Beano is available in most grocery stories and pharmacies - check out the link below.
http://www.beanogas.com/FAQ.aspx

Beans are a great source of fiber, vegetable protein and micro-nutrients. Try a variety of beans - kidney beans, garbanzo beans, lima beans and soy beans.  Try them from cans (easy to use - rinse and add to your salad) or buy dry beans, soak them overnight and cook them in a slow cooker.  Fresh green beans are perfect when you sauté them with onions, garlic, ginger and a touch of paprika/chili powder.  Check out Indian recipes if you like them spicy.

5. Nuts - Cashew nuts, almonds, peanuts, walnuts and pecans make a great snack by themselves. You can add them to your salads or top your entree. Nuts are a great source of protein, fiber, vitamin E and essential fatty acids.

Hydration – drink plenty of water. Green tea is a good choice – you know that soda (even diet cola) is not a good choice! Coffee is okay in moderation (1-2 cups daily).

For more information:
Many so-called health experts tend to bash government sources on health nutrition. I often heard people complain that FDA recommendations cater to the Beef, Pork or Agriculture lobbies. However, the NIH, CDC and other government agencies provide scientific and authentic recommendations (often better than literature passed out by food supplement industry!). Check out this website below and download free a great report from the CDC website - see link below:

30 ways in 30 days to Stretch Your Fruit & Vegetable Budget (PDF-408k)
Check out the website http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/index.html