According to Yale researchers and other writers who do health writing jobs, when you are emotionally stressed, your body produces a larger amount of cortisol. The cortisol will, in turn, cause your body to store fat, particularly belly fat. To de-stress or cut back on this stress, you must first carve out some time to relax.
Another proven way to de-stress or reduce your cortisol level is by eating your focus away, thanks to food items that counteract cortisol. Food that contains a large percentage of vitamin C is enough to reduce your stress level; below are some of such foods:
Cherries
Vitamin C content: 1 cup, 15 mg, 25% DV
Cherries are like earth candy filled with about 81 percent water per volume, supplying you with very few calories. Cherries are also a proven sleep aid thanks to its melatonin content. Try our chocolate cherry ginger smoothie recipe.
Cranberries
Vitamin C content: 1 cup, 13.3 mg, 22% DV
Cranberry is a fruit with low sugar content, making them a leading de-stressing food. If you care about containing your stress level, you should consider cranberries as a pop of color for your salads or smoothie.
Asparagus
Vitamin C content: 1 cup boiled, 13.8 mg, 23% DV
Asparagus is a major source of tryptophan, an amino acid that serves as the basis for serotonin stimulation. The more your body produces serotonin, the more your mood improves. Asparagus is also rich in folate, a nutrient capable of fighting depression, and vitamin C.
Blueberries
Vitamin C content: 1 cup, 14.4 mg, 24% DV
Blueberry does not contain a large amount of cortisol that is capable of fighting belly fat. Regardless, the fruit makes up for this with its brain-boosting capacity, battling hunger pangs and lowering blood pressure. You can eat your blueberries straight or throw them in your salad or smoothie.
Tomatoes
Vitamin C content: 1 cup, 10.2 mg, 34% DV
Traditionally grown tomatoes are good for health, but studies have shown that the organic types are even better; this is because the organic types have a large concentration of vitamin C and disease-fighting polyphenols.
Turnips
Vitamin C content: 1 cup, 27 mg, 45% DV
Even though turnips are in the produce section and not fruits, it is also a strong contender for food that can reduce stress. They are rich in fiber, which encourages satiety; they are also high in vitamin c and belly-fat blasting phytochemicals. Turnips contain glucosinolates, the chemical responsible for the bitter taste reduces inflammation, which causes prostate cancer.
Potatoes
Vitamin C content: 1 large potato (baked), 28.7 mg, 48% DV
Potato is one starchy good you can eat and still be able to maintain your flat belly. Instead of boiling, baked potatoes give you a dose of potassium and Buber and more vitamin c.
