Helena McCoy - Feb 10, 2021
4 Recipes to Reduce Stress
Ayurveda sees medicine and diet as complementary - not separate. One cannot expect radiant mind-body health without understanding the powerful impact of diet on our physical, mental, and spiritual health.
When dealing with stress, it is important to look towards simple solutions and simple dietary changes.
Check out the following recipes that are packed with delicious, nourishing, and grounding ingredients that help combat stress.
Breakfast
Beautiful, easy, and delicious, avocado toast is a great way to start your day.
Start by supporting serotonin levels with complex carbohydrates found in whole grain bread.
Make a delicious avocado mixture with lemon/lime and your favorite spices like salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and turmeric. Avocados are full of heart-healthy fats and fiber to keep you full and reduce anxiety.
Top your avocado toast with some cortisol-balancing Omega 3s, like chia seeds, B12-packed nutritional yeast, and maybe some fresh cut herbs.
For a gluten-free option, try sweet potato toast by slicing a sweet potato and tossing it in the toaster or oven. Reap the benefits of complex carbs and powerful antioxidants to help fight stress-induced cell damage.
Lunch
Fresh, hearty, and packed with delicious veggies, this stress-relieving quinoa avocado salad is perfect for a midday boost of energy.
This salad contains 6 super-foods proven to combat stress and its side effects,
Avocado: B-vitamin deficiencies may be linked to increased feelings of depression and anxiety. Avocados are a great source of stress-busting B-vitamins.
Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate can improve stress in two ways - chemically and emotionally. It is full of antioxidants which help in lowering stress hormone levels in the body and also a sweet treat to bring a smile to your face.
Almonds: Almonds are packed with vitamin B2, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc. B2 and magnesium help produce serotonin to regulate mood, Zinc fights off negative effects of stress, and vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps destroy free radicals.
Citrus (Orange / Lemon): High levels of vitamin C helps reduce stress levels and are great for your immune system!
Cauliflower: Cauliflower contains a lot of vitamin C as well, needed for DNA repair and the production of collagen and serotonin.
Leafy greens: Leafy greens contain folate, a vitamin that produces feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine to help combat stress!
Dinner
Satisfying, healthy, and full of stress-relieving benefits, try this plant-based dinner idea full of protein and antioxidants.
Sweet potatoes contain magnesium, which is one of the best minerals for promoting relaxation and boosting mood. They are also rich in potassium, which helps regulate your heartbeat when you’re feeling stressed.
Sweets
Stress loves sugar, however, sugar takes a huge toll on our physical and mental health. It can increase feelings of anxiety, weaken the body’s response to stress, and increase the risk for mood disorders.
Try this delicious recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth. Enjoy the natural sweetness from the dates and the numerous health benefits from the turmeric.
Start incorporating nourishing practices into your daily routine to reduce stress, boost brain power, and protect against disease.
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