5 Foods That Stress You Out, But We All Love

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

Just because we love something, doesn’t mean its good for us. That goes double with food, and these five foods that stress you out are some of our favorites! Sophia Smith breaks them down so you know how to handle these five food favorites.

 

We are under a lot of stress as is, so adding more is definitely not a good idea. Different foods affect our body in different ways, so it is no surprise that some can help us deal with stress while others enhance it significantly. But of all the foods we love to indulge in, these five are the foods that stress you out the most.

MORE BUZZCHOMP: Let Go of What Others Think of Your Running

So, if you want to lower the amount of your daily stress, apart from regular exercise, you should also consider eliminating these five foods from your daily menu. This is likely not an overnight solution, but going cold-turkey is possible. Mandi did it with sugar. Ultimately, you should cut way back on these five foods that stress you out, enjoying them in moderation, if at all.

 

1. Reduce Your Coffee Intake

The best course of action would be to completely exclude coffee from your daily routine, but we are quite aware that for most this is not an option. So, the next best thing is to significantly lower the amount you drink daily. It is important to consider that large amounts of caffeine can cause not only anxiety, but also a significant loss of concentration. And if you have the misfortune of being caffeine sensitive, the resulting jitters will reduce your productivity, thus creating stress.

 

2. Avoid Refined Sugars

Anyone who wants to eat healthy in general should stay away from refined sugars. But it can be especially unhealthy for people who are already dealing with a lot of stress on a daily basis. Eating large amounts of refined sugar can give you an immediate blood sugar rush, which in most cases, turns into a bad crash. After which you are left feeling tired and grumpy. If you are already stressed, you don’t need to go on this roller coaster of emotions, so it would be wise to stay away from this type of food.

 

3. Step Away From the Salt

There are very few meals that don’t have salt as one of the main ingredients. However, in a lot of cases we tend to go overboard with it and that can have a negative effect on both our body and our mind. Eating salty food makes our body retain water and it can be damaging to our kidneys. Those are the warnings that you have already heard. But it can also lead to high blood pressure, which is in no way a good thing for someone who is under a lot of stress as is. So, do your body a favor and lower that salt intake.

You can even consider introducing different spices that actually have the opposite effect and help you lower your stress level. For example, adding turmeric to your meals can have a great positive effect on reducing your stress. But if you are having trouble with incorporating its taste in your cooking, you can consider taking curcumin capsules. This polyphenol derived from the turmeric spice plant has the potential to reverse harmful brain changes induced by chronic stress, making it the ideal supplement for those of us having to deal with stress on a daily basis.

 

4. Limit Alcohol Intake

Of course, a glass of wine here and there can actually be a good thing. But drinking more than that can have the completely opposite effect. The fact is, alcohol actually stimulates the production of the same hormones our body produces when under stress. A study at the University of Chicago has shown that alcohol can actually prolong feelings of tension brought on by stress. On the other hand, stress can reduce the pleasant effects of alcohol and spike cravings for more. Like caffeine, alcohol is also dehydrating and can interfere with sleep. So, it is best to drink moderately and not use alcohol as a way of destressing after a hard day at work.

 

5. Eliminate Junk Food

It is not like you need even more reasons why you should eliminate junk food, but in case you do, here is another one. It can cause stress. So not only are the ingredients like tartrazine, emulsifiers, flavor-enhancers, stabilizers and preservatives bad for you in general, they can also cause severe damage to the central nervous system. This ends up affecting hypersensitivity, attention deficit disorder and certain allergies, all of which can heighten your stress levels even more.

There you have it, staying away from these particular food groups, or simply replacing them with healthier options, can significantly increase your chances of keeping your stress levels in check. They are the five foods that stress you out, so cut back or cut them out and have a far more productive and laid back day.

 

Get to Know the Writer:

Sophia Smith is a beauty blogger, eco-lifestyle lover and food enthusiast. She is very passionate about natural skincare, yoga and mindful living. Sophia writes mostly about lifestyle-related topics in her blogs. She has contributed to a number of publications including: Eco Warrior Princess, How to Simplify, Carousel, Fit x Brit and Peaceful Dumpling.

Foods that stress you out Photo Credits: http://www.Unsplash.com

BuzzChomp is an affiliate for products and services recommended herein. Please read our Full Disclaimer for further information on affiliate programs and opportunities.