Stressed spelt backward is desserts. That’s why you might find yourself reaching for the ice-cream after a bad day. But there’s one small problem. Eating all that ice cream is likely to make you feel worse, especially once the sugar high vanishes and the calories begin to stick. That’s also why doctors and nutritionists don’t really recommend stress-eating as a way of emotional support. If you think that means you have to deprive yourself of your favourite snacks, think again! Because there are certain foods that can actually have a positive effect on your mind, helping to ease your anxiety and leaving you feeling much better. So swap that box of doughnuts for one of these tasty and nutritious alternatives, and help yourself reach a much better mental state.
Side note: While we admit that these meals are definitely going to be delicious and filling, they may not be the magical solution to mental health. Anxiety and stress are complex medical conditions that you can address by seeking professional support or changing your lifestyle. And we hope these foods play a small role towards that. So, let’s dig in!
Breakfast parfait
The perfect way to start your day - a parfait packed with positivity. This easy breakfast with layers of Greek yogurt (we prefer the creaminess of the full fat kind, but you can easily choose a low fat or vegan alternative), fresh fruit, granola and honey is a complete meal to kickstart your morning in a hassle free way. And of course, you can customise it to suit your tastes! Not only do the fruits make it nutritious, granola adds to the texture, and honey sweetens up your day, the yogurt itself is full of healthy bacteria and probiotics that promote good digestion and reduce inflammation, thereby improving your mood.
Banana smoothie
This is especially for the ones who’ve spent most of their budget on their Bangalore PG rent - an inexpensive yet filling smoothie that’ll keep you going at any time. All you need is a banana and milk, all other mix-ins are customisable as per your likes and dislikes. Try some almonds or flaxseeds for added Omega 3s, some peanut butter for creaminess, or a spoon of cocoa powder if chocolate is more your style: the possibilities are truly endless. The sweetness from the bananas are a huge mood-lifter. So you can keep sipping on the good vibes as this smoothie is a double whammy booster for your taste buds and your mental health.
Beetroot salad
Often your stress levels are high because you have too much to do and not enough time to eat. Unless you are in a Stanza Living building, of course, with its delicious, chef-cooked meals, the last thing you want is to spend an hour queuing up in the dining hall of your PG for girls in Bangalore for some mediocre food, which leaves you lethargic. That’s when a quick and easy recipe like this comes in handy. Simply throw together some sliced beetroots, salad leaves, a few walnuts or pumpkin seeds, and a dash of lemon juice and you'll have a vibrant, light and delicious meal that’s sure to be a quick and easy fix for your mood. Trust us, the folate in beets can really help with negative emotions, and vitamin C is proven to reduce distress. This fresh and zingy salad will definitely be an easy way for you to brighten up your day and your stomach. So tell your anxiety to beet it!
Dark chocolate granola bars
Think cookies, but healthy. That’s what dark chocolate granola bars can be and they’re one of the most low maintenance recipes in existence. Simply mix together oats, any combination of dry fruits, nuts, and seeds together with some dark chocolate chunks and a natural sweetener like honey or date syrup and bake for twenty minutes. These ingredients combine in the best ways to ward off your anxiety - dark chocolate is a great stress-buster, seeds have healthy omega 3 fatty acids, and oats are great for keeping your blood sugar steady and preventing mood swings. Now you can snack stress-free.
Green tea
Sure, coffee may be the only thing that gets you through the day, but too much caffeine could also be one of the things that increases your anxiety. So swap your old cup of joe for a warm cup of green tea that you can sip on through the day. There’s a bunch of benefits to this beverage as green tea is known for relaxing your mind and increasing your metabolism, which could lead to a sharper mental performance. Sounds good to us.
They say you are what you eat, so why not attempt to be as stress-free as these foods and recipes promise. By making these healthy adjustments to your lifestyle, you might just be taking the first step towards better mental healthcare in the long run. We hope you give these meal ideas a try.
