The Stress Watchers Diet

Stress Help Series, Part Four

I can hear you now… "Diet? I thought stress relief was all about long, hot soaks in an aromatic bath or lying in a hammock, being soothed by the sounds of nature. I don't even want to think about diets. I've been on so many different diets I can't count them all! Diets never do any good…"

But, we're not talking about dieting for weight-loss.

Someone faced with a serious health condition like heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes has certain diet guidelines to follow in order to help their system cope with the illness. Excessive stress is another condition that can be managed with proper nutrition and, as with other health conditions, proper nutrition is also preventative medicine.

Stress should not be taken lightly, or thought of as something you "just have to learn to live with." It can lead to serious health problems, so it's important to be aware of how your diet can affect your stress level for better or worse.

Basic good nutrition is somewhat common sense, especially with the wealth of information that has become available on the subject. We've all heard that we should eat more fruits and vegetables and less sugar and saturated fats. We know that we should drink more water and less coffee and soda pop. But there are some specific nutritional elements that are especially helpful in dealing with stress.

1.Complex carbohydrates - A diet must for fighting stress. Complex carbohydrates cause the brain to release serotonin, a naturally occurring chemical that has a calming effect on the body and mind. So, when you feel really stressed, try a piece of whole grain bread or maybe some oatmeal, knowing that your brain will soon provide nature's own tranquilizer. Complex carbohydrates are found in whole grains (bread, pasta, cereal, etc.), vegetables like broccoli, leafy greens, potatoes, and corn and also in bananas (although bananas are the only fruit that has this effect).