H E A LT H Y L I V I N G
FROM DISTRESS TO DE-STRESS What can you eat if you’re feeling down? By Maya Daaboul
When stress gets the better of you, the body tends to crave high calorie sugary foods that only act as a quick fix, tricking you into feeling better. In reality, these foods subject your body to additional load of stress, only providing you with an initial short burst of energy followed by a prolonged period of fatigue.
Oatmeal
This comfort food is slowly digested in the body promoting the flow of the calm-inducing, feel-good chemical serotonin. Enjoy a bowl of oatmeal and top it up with some blueberries (also known to be mighty stress-busters) and honey for a sweet twist.
Spinach
Spinach is rich in magnesium which helps lower the stress hormone cortisol, lowers blood pressure and relaxes our muscles. Add spinach to your salads and sandwiches or have it as a side dish with your main meal to best reap its benefits.
68 DESTINATION RIYADH AUGUST 2015
SOURCE PHOTO/DIVE.NL • HIDRATEH2O.COM • THEFOODFAFFER.COM • HPCNURSING.COM • SBFISH.COM
The trick to combatting stress is to reach out for healthy foods that are jam-packed with essential nutrients to keep you calm and collected and prepare your body for any upcoming periods of stress. Here are a few stress-busters to stock up on.