The consumption of some foods and drinks help to alleviate psychological and physical stress. Appetite levels can also affect these emotional responses. People are typically alert and irritable when they are hungry and calm when they are full.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that acts as a natural mood regulator, it has the ability to help the body produce and balance certain hormones naturally like for example serotonin. The hormone serotonin regulates appetite and hunger, also interferes with mood states and sleep – it is called the happiness hormone.
Tryptophan declines when consuming a lot of alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, processed products and low sun exposure. Tryptophan increases when eating the right calming foods.
Tryptophan-rich foods: hemp sedes, legumes, sprouts, almonds, walnuts, pistachio, pumpkin sedes, papaya, blackberries, grapes, mango, brócoli, kale, spinach and eggs. In states of stress increases the need for vitamin C and tryptophan. Also good for calming are berries, asparagus, walnuts, kiwi, oranges (full of vitamin C). It is also proved that bitter chocolate decreases cortisol (an indicator of physiological stress levels) – good news right? 😉
It is very important where we eat, how, when, if we cook or we order food, the environment we are eating in, if we are watching TV or our phone, etc. All these circumstances have an impact on how calming food can be.
Furthermore, it is fundamental to complement the food with outdoor activities, meditation and moments of doing what we like.
