Stress-busting foods

I read an article today in "Self" magazine with some stress-busting foods.
It's definitely worth a try :)



For brightening moods

* Almonds
* Lowfat yogurt
* Pistachios
* Salmon
* Scallops
* Shrimp
* Walnuts

B vitamins stimulate the brain's production of serotonin, helping you relax, explains Paul Lachance, Ph.D., professor emeritus of nutrition and food science at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Choose nuts for B6, fish and yogurt for B12.


For jump-starting immunity

* Blueberries
* Broccoli
* Green bell peppers
* Kiwifruit
* Strawberries
* Tomatoes

Veg out with vitamin C, which blunts the effects of stress by reducing free radicals and bolstering your immune system. "It is also your body's first line of defense against stressors like colds and exertion," Lachance explains.



For managing anger

* Avocados
* Bananas
* Black beans
* Corn
* Potatoes
* White beans

Feeling steamed? Seek out potassium, an electrolyte that helps lower blood pressure, says Brie Turner-McGrivev, a registered dietitian at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.


For sounder sleep

* Chickpeas
* Lentils
* Oatmeal
* Pumpkin seeds
* Spinach
* Swiss chard

Magnesium acts as a natural tranquilizer that relaxes muscles, blood vessels and the gastrointestinal tract. Plus, the mineral plays a role in boosting serotonin, says Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D., a spokeswoman in New York City for the American Dietetic Association