As the end of the year starts approaching and internships/jobs begin to make decisions, you can almost feel the stress levels rising on campus. Since you can’t actually decrease the amount of work you have to get done, there are some things that can bring down your stress level, starting with the food you’re eating!
If you’re anything like me, you probably stress eat. Whether that be because you’re eating something unhealthy because it’s convenient and fast (looking at you, Cave) or you’re absent-mindedly eating something while you study, there are foods that are much better options for you to eat, while also properly fuel your brain!
Dark Leafy Greens
Spinach, Arugula, Mixed Greens, Kale, you name it, it’s all good. Dark greens are rich in magnesium, folate, and iron – incorporating these into your meals is a great way to boost your mood – and it’s so easy now that the Cave, Mather, and Bistro all carry these dark greens for smoothies!
Turkey
Honestly, turkey is my least favorite form of poultry; however, turkey is by far the healthiest deli meat. Think about Thanksgiving – when you slowly slip into that turkey coma (yeah, it’s real.) Turkey has a tendency to make you tired, releasing happy hormones – but if you need to pull an all-nighter, stay away!
Salmon
Salmon is like the super food of fish. Packed with Omega-3s and good fats (don’t be scared of the word “fat,” it really can be good for you in certain circumstances, much like with avocados.) Salmon is especially good for those of us who can’t swallow those gigantic omega-3 pills.
Blueberries
Blueberries are one of my favorite ways to start my day – they’re delicious! Blueberries (just like their slightly more attractive yet hard-to-get cousins, the acai berry) are full of antioxidants and vitamin c, great for stress and keeping your immune system up.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is actually very beneficial to eat daily (in moderation of course.) Dark chocolate even lowers your blood pressure!
Avocado
The holy grail: avocado. Sure it’s trendy, but there’s a reason for the hype. Avocados are so yummy, keep you full for so long, rich in good fats, and tons of vitamin B!
Oatmeal
Idea: toss blueberries in your oatmeal and get a double dose of brain food. Oatmeal has complex carbs which boost serotonin levels (like turkey!) and also does what avocado does by keeping you fuller longer.