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Wouldn’t it be great if you had your own personal pharmacy at home? Well, you do. It’s called your fridge. Certain foods can help cure what ails you. So here’s what to eat when you’re feeling bad, courtesy of Quick and Simple magazine.
If you have allergies: Stock up on apples and berries – unless, of course, you’re allergic to them! They contain a compound that stops your body from releasing histamine – a chemical your body produces when you’re having an allergic reaction. Also, load up on tuna and salmon. They’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce the swelling and inflammation that often accompany an allergic attack.
If you toss and turn at night: Add turkey, eggs, and almonds to your grocery list. All of those contain tryptophan, an amino acid that your body converts to melatonin – which is a hormone that makes you feel tired. You’ll fall asleep even faster if you combine a tryptophan-rich food with some complex carbs – like whole-grain crackers or low-fat yogurt. Why? Because the carbs help speed the tryptophan to your brain.
If you feel depressed: Snack on spinach, lentils, and peas. They’re loaded with folate – a “B†vitamin that people suffering from depression often lack. However, skip the aspartame – you’ll find it in sweeteners like Equal or NutraSweet. It can cause a drop in the feel-good hormone serotonin.
Anxiety. Ease jitters by eating tomatoes and strawberries. Their Vitamin C content helps inhibit production of the stress hormone cortisol. Go easy on the coffee. One or two cups is fine. Too much joe will make you feel even more jittery.
If you have allergies: Stock up on apples and berries – unless, of course, you’re allergic to them! They contain a compound that stops your body from releasing histamine – a chemical your body produces when you’re having an allergic reaction. Also, load up on tuna and salmon. They’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce the swelling and inflammation that often accompany an allergic attack.
If you toss and turn at night: Add turkey, eggs, and almonds to your grocery list. All of those contain tryptophan, an amino acid that your body converts to melatonin – which is a hormone that makes you feel tired. You’ll fall asleep even faster if you combine a tryptophan-rich food with some complex carbs – like whole-grain crackers or low-fat yogurt. Why? Because the carbs help speed the tryptophan to your brain.
If you feel depressed: Snack on spinach, lentils, and peas. They’re loaded with folate – a “B†vitamin that people suffering from depression often lack. However, skip the aspartame – you’ll find it in sweeteners like Equal or NutraSweet. It can cause a drop in the feel-good hormone serotonin.
Anxiety. Ease jitters by eating tomatoes and strawberries. Their Vitamin C content helps inhibit production of the stress hormone cortisol. Go easy on the coffee. One or two cups is fine. Too much joe will make you feel even more jittery.
