5 healthy, yummy ways to relieve stress

Can the candy and bin the biscuits – when deadlines loom and you need a comforting crunch, there are healthy options to help you de-stress.

1. Yummy chocolate

Make sure you opt for dark chocolate (one with 70 per cent cocoa solids or above), which is the lowest in sugar. Dark chocolate contains more flavonoids (an important antioxidant for preventing diseases) than five apples.

A 2.5cm square is all you need to sate the appetite and put you in a better frame of mind. This sweet treat also contains phenylethylamine, a compound similar to endorphins – that can put you in a happier mood.

2. Vegetables and dip

Instead of chips and a full fat dip, reach for crunchy crudites like broccoli, carrots, celery and peppers.

Broccoli alone is brimming with B vitamins, including folic acid, which helps relieve stress, panic and anxiety.

Add a handful of chopped mint to natural yogurt for a fresh dipping sauce. Or combine a chopped chilli with chopped tomatoes and onions, a handful of chopped coriander and a squeeze of lime for a spicy salsa.

The act of crunching through this healthy snack may also help put paid to any pent up pressure!

3. Sunny oranges

When you’re stressed, your adrenal glands produce cortisol, which adversely affects the immune system. The vitamin C in oranges has been found to restore cortisol levels to normal and even the smell of its citrus zest will give you a lift.

Eating oranges at work might also help you with your performance. Research has shown that people who took 1000mg of vitamin C before making a speech had lower levels of cortisol than those who didn’t.

4. Turkey salad

The tryptophan in turkey gives a calming effect, which makes it a good snack for stressful times.

Pair it with crunchy lettuce, slices of green apple and a handful of walnuts for a satisfying snack. If you’re vegetarian, a portion of edamame beans will have the same effect.

5. Go bananas

Easy to eat and instantly satisfying, bananas are a good source of potassium, which helps to regulate blood pressure, which can rise in times of stress. This is an ideal snack at any time of the day – to keep stress at bay.

Even better, slice a banana and freeze it overnight for a delicious and healthy alternative to ice cream.

Always pick a snack that will fill you up – like half an avocado or a handful of nuts. As Dr Drew Ramsay, an assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and author of The Happiness Diet told The Huffington Post, nothing stresses the brain more than thinking it is running low on nourishment.