Foods to help during times of stress

Image courtesy of Pixabay/Seagull-bt

Are you expecting next week to be more stressful than usual?

Whether you are dealing with a super demanding project or client or you’re the middle of your exam week, these are the times of heightened stress.

Two years ago a colleague of mine and I polled students right before an exam. We wanted to know how many had a good breakfast. Only half of all hands went up. We were in shock.

These days I make it a point to remind my students that food is the most important fuel you put in your body.

Would you put cheap gas or nothing at all in your beautiful Porsche expecting a winning performance?

And no, your first coffee of the day does not count as a complete breakfast, even if you add cream.

From my perspective, other than preparation, there are two main paths that can lead to success during stressful periods – getting enough sleep and eating well-balanced meals, especially breakfast.

The weekend right before your exams is not a good time to experiment with the new complex recipes.

So this weekend put on your shopping list the following 5 foods to help during your stressful week.

Add them as ingredients to your breakfast or snacks.

1. Eggs

There is no better source of a complete protein.  These make a great addition to your favorite breakfast or stand alone as a snack. You boil several at a time to keep in your refrigerator.  Also, you can find hard-boiled eggs in many on the go places now.

2. Nuts and seeds

Walnuts, almonds and pumpkin seeds are my favorites.  You can add them to your cereals, oatmeal, salads or vegetable dishes.  I love having some almond or peanut butter with me in a smaller container. Eating nut butter as a snack with a piece of fruit immediately satiates the hunger.

3. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is getting a lot of press now for many different reasons. Medium chain triglycerides in coconut fat have been looked at for their effectiveness in memory impairment.

4. Yogurt

I prefer getting plain to avoid the sugar. You also want to make sure your yogurt has live bacterial cultures.  Supporting your digestion is always important, but it’s essential during the times of stress.

5. Frozen blueberries

These are a great source of antioxidants, and they go perfectly together with that yogurt we discussed above.  Just get a small container and put the two together – they will keep cool for a long time.  And enjoying some blueberry yogurt is a perfect reason to take a break from your hard work.

When you have a bit more time, check out my easy breakfast recipe guide.

[tweet]Would you put cheap gas or nothing at all in your beautiful Porsche expecting a winning performance?[/tweet]

Questions: Do you have a favorite food that you always stock up on? Let me know what you’ve tried any of these suggestions. how well they worked for you? If not, would you consider adding one from the list?