Seasonal Friendly Foods That Help Kick Holiday Stress to the Curb

Holiday stress is unavoidable for most of us. Between the shopping, cooking, working, and family functions, holiday joy becomes more of a necessary reminder than it is a natural occurrence. But there’s no need to be a holiday Grinch if you take care of your body properly. Fueling your brain provides not only beneficial aging properties but also mental benefits as well.

Certain foods reduce stress, improve nervous system function, and contain nutrients such as B vitamins, protein, magnesium, iron, and zinc to also fight off stress and inflammation. Eating a healthy diet rich in nutritious foods this time of year is important not only to ward off illness but also to prevent depression and manage anxiety. Here are some of the best options:

1. Blueberries

Blueberries are some of the most antioxidant-rich fruits you can eat, as you already know. They’re filled with fiber to regulate blood sugar, polyphenols and Vitamin C, anti-inflammatory properties, hormone-balancing properties, and gut-boosting nutrients that boost beneficial bacteria to improve immunity and fight stress even further. Use blueberries in Blueberry and Oat Breakfast Bread Pudding, Chia Blueberry Cups, Gluten-Free Blueberry Apple Pie Cake, or Zucchini Blueberry Muffins, or just add them to a superfood smoothie.

2. Chickpeas

This sweet, nutty legume is a rich source of dietary protein, magnesium, Vitamin B6, and zinc. Also rich in iron and potassium, chickpeas have it all when it comes to necessary nutrients to beat stress. Vitamin B6 and magnesium provide calming benefits, while amino acids and protein help balance neurotransmitter function. Enjoy hummus, chickpea stew, or soup, serve them over a simple quinoa salad, cook them with curried Jamaican tofu, or use chickpea flour to make a vegan omelette or Socca Pizza.

3. Spinach

The popular green loved by many is a top-notch stress-boosting food to enjoy. Rich in protein, magnesium, Vitamin B6, and other nutritional goodies, spinach just makes you feel a bit better all the way around. It’s great to include in a morning smoothie or a lunchtime salad since mornings and afternoons seem to be the most hectic for everyone. Enjoy it cooked in dinner entrees or stuffed into mid-day wraps for other tasty options. Or try a Pumpkin Green Latte with spinach and Roasted Veggies with Buttery Garlic and Spinach Salad.

4. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are packed with iron, magnesium, B vitamins, protein, and the amino acid tryptophan which fights frayed nerves and anxiety. Tryptophan is also a precursor to serotonin, which is the feel-good hormone associated with preventing depression. Use raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds as the healthiest option, and toss a few here and there throughout your day whether it be on some morning oatmeal, on top of a smoothie, in a trail mix as a mid-day snack, or sprinkled onto a lunchtime salad of sorts for extra filling protein and fiber. Bonus feature: pumpkin seeds are also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which Support cellular function even further to ward off anxiety.

5. Pumpkin and Sweet Potatoes

These two orange-colored veggies are rich in stress-boosting tryptophan, magnesium, Vitamin C, and potassium. They both help combat frayed nerves and low blood sugar while also keeping you full due to high amounts of fiber. Best of all, they’re especially hydrating, which is important during stressful times when the body often undergoes intense dehydration. Aim for one serving of an orange-colored root veggie like pumpkin and sweet potatoes during the colder months when they help provide extra immunity-boosting properties. Try Pumpkin Overnight Oats, Creamy Pumpkin Coconut Pie, Creamy Pumpkin Acai Bowl, Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Chili, Sweet Potato, Carrot and Leek Soup or even Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies.

6. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a wonderful food to stabilize the nerves, prevent depression, provide energy, and feed your body mental-boosting nutrients. Oats are one of the highest sources of Vitamin B6, protein, fiber, and magnesium. Enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or anytime you need a filling meal for pennies per serving. Oats can be mixed into smoothies for natural protein, turned into dessert, and enjoyed hot or cold, depending on how you like them prepared.

These are just a handful of some of the best foods to ward of seasonal stressors, but to be honest, they’re only the tip of the iceberg. Plant-based foods all have the right nutrients to fight off stress for the long haul. You’ll want to pack your diet out with these as much as possible, along with getting some fresh air and enjoying the sunshine, aim for consistent daily movement, and sneak in some quiet time each day to manage stress even more effectively. Remember, during the time of the year when SAD (seasonal affective disorder) strikes up, your diet can be your best ally (aside from exercise) to help you prevent depression and anxiety. Why not use it?!

Kiss those holiday nerves goodbye with a whole foods, plant-based diet to Support you in every single way, in and out of the kitchen!

Also see: Elevate Your Mood and Get Happy With These 11 Foods and don’t forget that chocolate, almonds, broccoli, bananas, chia, sunflower, and hemp seeds, along with walnuts also make fantastic mood-boosting foods to add to your day.

What healthy foods help you beat holiday stress?

Related Content:

• 15 No-Bake Dessert Recipes For a Stress-Free Thanksgiving
• Support Animals Help Alleviate Travel Stress at San Francisco Airport
• How Music Can Affect Your Mood and Reduce Stress
• Brave Paws Creates Plant-Based Anxiety and Stress Support Chewables for Dogs
• Sweet Rescued Chicken Comforts Her Distressed Friend in Time of Need [Video]

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!