The Anti-Stress Diet

It is absolutely essential that we reevaluate what we eat and sit down and plan for a diet that will provide us with life-giving nutrients. An anti-stress diet is one that emphasizes fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, raw nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Hans Selye found in his research on stress that if you inflict that same stressor on two different people, one malnourished and the other well-fed, the well nourished person will be able to adapt to the stress much better than his or her counterpart.

Remember the adrenals must be supported and nourished in order to combat the damaging effects of stress. Adrenal exhaustion can occur during periods of stress and is compounded by a poor diet. When we become "stressed out" our immune system can become wakened making us susceptible to colds, flu, allergies and even other more serious diseases. Diseases like diabetes, myasthenia gravis, and multiple sclerosis can appear after periods of physical trauma or emotional stress.

There is no question that experiencing stress can significantly weaken our ability to fight off disease invaders.

Foods to emphasize:

*fresh raw fruits
*fresh raw or steamed vegetables
*whole grains in breads, flours and cereal
*legumes (split peas, lentils, beans, etc.)
*lean white meats and fish
*raw nuts and seeds
*olive, canola and flaxseed oil

 

Foods to Restrict or Avoid

*caffeine/nicotine
*unnecessary medications
*high sugar foods
*alcohol
*high fat snacks
*rich, fatty dairy products