Healthy Foods against Winter Stress

When your plate is full of responsibilities and you’re praying for just one moment of peace, it can be really difficult to put one foot in front of the other; believe us, we know what it’s like. Taking time for yourself can be hard to do, but if you make it a point to take just a few minutes to grab a snack, you might be surprised to find that your stress will start to fade. That is if you know what kind of snack to grab! While “comfort food” might sound like the right choice, these healthy snacks are what you should be reaching for when you want to de-stress:

·      Leafy Greens: While a salad might not exactly ring your “comfort food” bell, there is quite a bit to say about how a bunch of fresh greens can positively affect your body and your mindset! Crazy as it sounds, spinach actually helps you to produce dopamine, the pleasure chemical, with how much folate it contains. If you need to chill, why not make a little salad and you’ll feel great in no time!

·      Oatmeal: Start your day off with a big bowl of steel cut oats and you’ll be setting yourself up for a positive start! Since complex carbs (think no sugar) are known to help the brain create serotonin, a ‘happy’ chemical, you can effectively control your blood sugar levels so your body has a steady supply of serotonin to last you through ‘til lunch.

·      Blueberries: A handful of these little guys is just what you mind needs to relieve your stress! Since blueberries are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients (basically the superheroes of nutrients), the stress hormones in your body won’t stand a chance! Bonus: blueberries have been proven to improve your chances against cancer by boosting your immunity!

·      Salmon: If you’re feeling anxious, your body is probably on overdrive creating adrenaline and cortisol, the main hormones that are associated with stress. Luckily, the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon have been proven to help counteract these stress-inducing hormones. Why not head to the sushi bar and indulge in some delicious stress-fight salmon bites?

·      Pistachios: This delicious snack is an easy way to fight anxiety and enjoy a few moments for yourself. Pack yourself a bag of these nuts and crack a few open when you get hungry. Not only will the repetitive motion with your hands help you to chill out physically, but the phytonutrients found in these nuts will help to calm your brain and offer cardiovascular support as well!

·      Dark Chocolate: Okay, I saved the best for last! While dark chocolate has been proven to aid in heart health, your mind can also benefit from this sweet treat! Not only your morale improve from indulging your sweet-tooth, but the antioxidants in the rich cocoa will help your blood vessels to relax, which in turn leads to lower blood pressure and improved circulation. Treat yourself to a bit of dark chocolate and let the stress just melt off your body!

The phrase, “you are what you eat,” can certainly apply here – when you know what kind of properties are in your food you can pick the right snacks to benefit any situation, even the most stressful moments! Which of these super foods that help fight stress will you be stocking up on?

Stay healthy

Angelika

(credit: L.R.)

Ways To Waste Less Food

If you’re on a budget, saving food is imperative. Even if you’re not on a budget, wasting less food is great for the environment. Check out how you can waste less food.

Start Storing Smarter- Doing small things like separating bananas rather than keeping them in a bunch, keeps them fresher longer. You could also reconsider the organization of your fridge to have everything in the right places so they last longer. Don’t put fruits and veggies in the same drawer because they spoil together. All it takes is some research.

Only Buy What You Need- Make a list before you go to the store and be sure to only add what you need. Don’t get distracted by adding extra apples or tomatoes. You could even download an app for keeping your grocery list.

Freeze Your Veggies- Get into the habit of freezing your veggies. It doesn’t take much time and it saves you a whole lot of rotten vegetables.

Make More Trips- Making more trips to the store to get what you need on a biweekly or triweekly basis is better for saving food than going for weekly trips.

Don’t Buy In Bulk- Buying in bulk is a trap. How many people are there in your family? Do you really need that many crates of produce? Things like toilet paper or foods that have long expiration dates can be bought at discount when it comes to buying in bulk. Aside from that, stay away.

Use All Your Food- Use all of your food, like all of it. Cook with every part of your food, use veggie scraps to make broth, and leftover veggies for a frittata. Using all your food will definitely keep you from wasting food.

Keep doing

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

(credit: L.R.)

“Healthy” Foods That Are Actually Bad For You

Ugh. Just when you thought you were doing the right thing, reeling in your unhealthy habits and getting your nutrition plan back on track, you find out this discouraging news: there’s a bunch of “healthy” foods that are actually really bad for you out there. At least when you indulge in a small serving of ice cream or a delicious slice of chocolate cake – you know it’s an indulgence and it’s a must-do special treat every once in a while. But what about those foods you thought were healthy and really they’re packed with nutrition busting calories and ingredients. Take a look at these waistline busters that seem healthy, but in reality may be sabotaging your diet plan. 

1. Pre-made salads. The already prepared salad is a super simple way to fall victim to having more calories than a big mac packed onto a big pile of leafy greens – it can be a real calorie buster. Watch out for salads packed with cheese, crutons, meats and dried fruits (like Cobb, Caesar, Chef’s salads) – often they also like to pack on the dressing. Try asking for the dressing on the side and make selections that include greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts and grilled chicken and turkey. Most restaurants are pretty go-with-the-flow these days when it comes to making heart-healthy substitutions.

2. Multi-grain or wheat bread. As it turns out, even when you think you’re making the right decision by choosing wheat over white, many mass produced brands of wheat bread do not actually give you the benefit of the whole grain. When you’re checking out the ingredients list, watch out for breads that include the terms: unbleached enriched or bleached. Try skipping the calories of bread in general – or cut your normal intake in half, by trying an open-faced sandwich with just one slice instead of two.

3.  Granola. Just the word sounds earthy, crunchy and healthy – doesn’t it? Well, think again. Most store-bought granola packs a calorie punch exceeding 400 calories per serving. Often made with loads of sugar and fat, store-bought granola doesn’t offer much in the way of nutritional value. Opt to skip granola entirely and try a high-fiber, low-sugar cereal instead.

4. Gluten-free products. This is tricky as gluten-free living is all the rage right now, but the products made specifically for those who have a gluten allergy do not mean they’re healthier or low in calories. If you’re choosing to go gluten-free as a diet option, skip out on replacing all your foods with gluten-free products and simply focus on a diet high in leafy greens, fresh fruits and lean proteins. If you must have gluten-free products – be sure to check those labels and carefully read the calorie count. The extra eggs and oil used in these products can really add up.

5. Pre-packaged applesauce. This one is sneaky as it seems like such an innocent and healthy snack – too bad most store-bought applesauce packs on the sugar and high fructose corn syrup in those tiny little snack packs. If apple sauce is your must-have snack, look for unsweetened, try making your own or simply opt for a nice, crisp apple.

Have you recently adjusted your diet for a more balanced and healthy option? 

Keep eating

Angelika

www.styleupbyangel.com

( credit: L.R.)