How To Use Nutrition To Help With Stress

[Cheryle Geiger]

How To Use Nutrition To Help With StressAre you on stress overload and noticing that is it affecting your health?What does nutrition have to do with relieving stress? Our bodies can handle a lot more than we think if we will take care of them. You can not drive your car for very long if you do not add gasoline or oil when the gas gauge says it is low or the red light comes on saying it needs oil or a tune up right?Is nutrition and stress linked together? Every 24 hours our bodies need nutrients to function at their best for that day, in my opinion this is critical to our healthy aging.Start out your week with the mindset that you are going to do the best you can do to eat healthy. Here are a few reminders.Each week make out your meal plan for the week. Starting each day with a nutritious meal, that could mean a healthy protein shake, oatmeal and raisins or an omelet. You decide, remember your goal is to stay pro active so that you can handle your busy schedule with focus and more energy.Drink at least 10 glasses of water, and green tea, “Green tea has been used as a medicine in China for 4000 years.”“For example, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.”Eating a salad loaded with veggies for lunch will help you get the fiber that is needed. We need 35 grams of fiber each day. There are numerous salad recipes available to you. If you make your own salad you will be saving money and getting the right veggies that are needed to reach your goal. Remember every 24 hours you need the proper nourishment to keep your body fit, energized, and aging slowly.Add snacks to your meal plan, plan on having several pieces of fruit each day, carrots, celery, and other veggies you like to snack on throughout the day, add a snack bag of raw nuts, and there you have it, your in between meals snacks ready to go.Dinner can be simple as well.Dr Oz says make sure you are getting your vitamins daily.Being Pro Active is key to healthy aging, set aside the time that is needed for yourself, ask your health consultant to help you figure out what you are lacking or what you could add to what you are already doing. Have a yearly exam with blood work so that you can stay on top of your health. You don’t want to wait for symptoms before you finally get serious about your life.We only pass this way once…be Pro ActiveThe importance of keeping our immune systems strong.“The strength of our body’s natural defense system determines our body’s ability to resist infection and the growth of abnormal or cancerous cells.”Our bodies are bombarded with free radicals even when we exercise.Antioxidants act as “free radical scavengers” to prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals, so we need to keep high levels of antioxidants flowing through our bodies to protect our cells. Here are a few ideas for foods high in antioxidant protection.Carrots, squash, spinach, kale, beets, peppers, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches, apricots, blackberries, blueberries, red grapes, prunes, acai, and all other (bright-colored fruits and vegetables!)So you get the picture, there are an abundance of foods we can choose from especially now that Spring is here, we have a nice variety of fresh fruits and veggies to eat.The obstacle that gets in our way is not planning. If we plan once a week to have the fresh foods that we need for the week in the refrigerator, and pantry we will eliminate the hassle of that old saying “what should I eat”? If we have these items cleaned and ready to go that lessens the hassle even more. Our schedules during the week get hectic so this will help prevent last minute bad decisions, e.g. unhealthy fast foods.I guarantee if you plan this way your body will reward you.You will feel better, look better, have more energy, sleep better and awake fresh and ready to start your day. You will be able to handle what comes at you with a fresh new view, a healthy view from a nourished, rested and energetic individual.

[Karen (Hemmalin) McGrath]

Hi Cheryle,

Thanks so much for sharing this! I have recently discovered that there is arsenic in chicken - farmers put it in feed to prevent intestinal parasites. This can cause oral cancers. I am wondering how much if any is in green tea imported from China. Is there a way to find out?

Thanks so much, Karen :)

[Cheryle Geiger]

You are young you should be feeling great!! I appreciate your comment.
God Bless You.