Jonathon Engels, a long-time vegetarian turned vegan, is currently on a trip from Guatemala to... Jonathon Engels, a long-time vegetarian turned vegan, is currently on a trip from Guatemala to Patagonia, volunteering on organic farms all the way down. In Costa Rica, he officially gave up cheese after actually milking a goat, only to discover—happy life or not—the goat kind of hated it. He blogs—Jonathon Engels: A Life Abroad—about his experiences and maintains a website—The NGO List—benefitting grassroots NGOs and international volunteers. Read more about Jonathon Engels Read More
With its legalization, CBD oil quickly became the go-to alternative medicine for dealing with high stress and anxiety. It has small traces of THC, the magic ingredient in marijuana, and that just chills a person out. However, THC and CBD aren’t the only things that can do this.
There are actually a lot of healthy foods that are great for keeping us relaxed, mentally and physically. As well, some foods are horrible for causing increased anxiety and are better avoided. Having the right diet can make a notable difference in stress levels.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a good list for you of the right foods and some great recipes to help with adding them into the mix. If that sounds groovy, this might be the right kind of read for you.
This spice is easy to sneak into recipes, such as tofu scrambles and “yellow” rice. Turmeric has a compound called curcumin which helps with overall brain health, including anxiety issues. The compound is also linked to converting plant-based Omega-3 for effective absorption, another boon to the brain. Try turmeric in golden milk.
Rich in vitamin E and good fats, almonds help with cognitive functions. They have also been shown to be mood lifters, reducing symptoms of depression. Of course, it’s easy enough to eat a handful of almonds, but it’s also easy to use them in recipes.
Along with other probiotic foods like sauerkraut and kombucha, active-culture yogurt helps to keep our gut healthy, and good gut bacteria has been linked to mental health, too. Research has shown yogurt has improved problems with stress and anxiety. Vegan yogurt is easy to make at home, and it can be used in lots of different ways.
Well-regarded as brain food, blueberries have antioxidants, like flavonoids, that help with improving brain health and anxiety issues. Forget the same old blueberry muffin, they are awesome in all sorts of recipes.
Bananas are a strong source of tryptophan, the amino acid that gives turkey its infamous reputation for making folks sleepy. Well, we don’t need turkey to get it! Tryptophan also converts to serotonin to work as a generally relaxing mood enhancer. Bananas go well with everything!
Like bananas, oats also have tryptophan! Amazingly, banana in oatmeal is a proven winner, so it’s a great way to cool out before heading off to work in the morning. There are tons of fun methods for making oatmeal, including savory versions.
A great source of plant-based Omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds are a good ingredient to put in the mix for keeping calm. Omega-3 has been highly regarded (it has come into question) for keeping the brain tip-top and helping with anxiety. But, getting some chia seeds never hurt a healthful situation.
Full of good fats, B vitamins, and vitamin E, avocadoes are good brain and nerve food. They are so great to add to salads and sandwiches, and of course, avocado toast wowed a lot of folks not too long ago. They are a lot of surprises (and surprisingly good) avocado recipes.
With lots of vitamin E, healthy fats, and protein, walnuts are a good go-to addition to calming recipes. They are nice in oatmeal, good in salads, nice with yogurt, and lovely with dark chocolate. Walnut “meat” is another awesome idea to play with.
It needs to be low-sugar, but dark chocolate is a powerful food for staying calm. It has flavanols that help with brain function and health, keeping blood flowing to the brain for better handling stressful situations. Dark chocolate is wonderful as is, but it can be included in recipes all over the spectrum.
True whole grains, not necessarily processed whole grain foods, are ideal for easing anxiety. They have magnesium, tryptophan, and quality carbs (to keep hunger at bay). Go for actual whole grains rather than whole grain bread and such.
Also shipping a stout supply of tryptophan and magnesium, seaweed comes with all sorts of nutrient richness that does a body (and a brain) good. Try using it in seaweed salads, vegan sushi bowls and rolls, and other creative ways.
With such a healthy mix of calming foods, it shouldn’t be out of the real to get several anxiety-reducing ingredients a day. What a relaxing way to eat.
Easy Ways to Help the Planet:
Get your favorite articles delivered right to your inbox! Sign up for daily news from OneGreenPlanet.
Help keep One Green Planet free and independent! Together we can ensure our platform remains a hub for empowering ideas committed to fighting for a sustainable, healthy, and compassionate world. Please support us in keeping our mission strong.
Comments: