4 Stress-Fighting Foods to End the Year with a Bang!

Shopping, cooking, gift wrapping…there’s never enough hours in the days leading up to the holidays. All too often your eating habits and nutritional health suffers from the stress. Here are 4 foods to include in your meals this month to fight the stress and come out feeling strong.

Blueberries: Blueberries are tiny berries that pack a huge punch. One cup of blueberries contains only 100 calories, 14% of the recommended daily allowance of fiber and about 25% of the daily recommended allowance of vitamin C. The blueberry’s real claim to fame is its high antioxidant content. Not only do these antioxidants help prevent and fight cancer, but they also protect against oxidative stress, which is associated with aging and disease susceptibility. The vitamin C content, more specifically, is the antioxidant responsible for combating stress by keeping levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, from rising. Eat blueberries alone or add them to your oatmeal or Greek yogurt.

Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids, which are plant compounds that are known for their relaxing effects. Dark chocolate is also known to lower stress hormones in those with high anxiety levels. Choose dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 60% or higher to reap the stress fighting benefits. Enjoy a small square of dark chocolate daily, and remember to eat it slowly and savor every moment.

Fatty fish and other Omega-3-rich foods: Omega-3 fatty acids are most available through fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines. They are also found in flaxseeds and walnuts. Omega-3 fatty acids suppress stress hormones and elevate mood but boost the feel-good hormone serotonin. Enjoy an omega-3 rich fish dinner at least twice per week. Pair with grilled veggies and quinoa for a balanced plate. Milled flaxseed can be added to hot or cold cereal, yogurt or smoothies. Walnuts are a great snack to eat alone or added to salads.

Sunflower seeds: These seeds are rich in folate, which promotes the feel-good hormone dopamine. Add a tablespoon of sunflower seeds to your salad, yogurt or as a topping on your morning cottage cheese parfait.

Can you use some strategies to get through the holidays without overwhelm and overeating? Click here for free access to a training I gave earlier this month. You will breeze through the holidays feeling healthy, happy and strong.

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Added Bonuses

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Act fast – I have extended the FREE Post-Holiday Laser Coaching Call with me until midnight December 24, 2013.