It's no snacksident

There’s just something about this time of year - maybe you're not where you thought you would be by this time of the year or maybe getting in the last bit of work crunch before a Summer break isn't going to plan… either way, mid-year is always?stressful. Unfortunately, when we’re feeling wrung out by the?stresses?of daily life, we tend to lean on unhealthy habits to comfort ourselves. Waiting all day for that greasy takeout may sometimes feel like the only thing to help you get through those work pressures, working from home while the kids are on holiday or even just general chores.?

Dramatic? Maybe… But high calorie and sugary foods only trick us into thinking we feel better. Eating healthy food (and making that a conscious choice) can actually offer some real?stress?relief.?So here are some of our favourite?snacks?with anti-stress?foods to throw into that Summer diet!

#1 Nuts

Stress depletes our B vitamin stores and snacking on nuts helps replenish them. Research says that B vitamins keep our neurotransmitters in their happy place and help us handle the fight-or-flight stress response. The potassium in nuts is also key: it's been found that a couple servings of potassium-packed pistachios a day can lower blood pressure and reduce the strain stress puts on our heart. So on your next shopping trip, we suggest throwing in a bag or two of mixed nuts that you can keep on hand throughout the day!

?#2 Dark Chocolate

Yes, you read it right. Chocolate in moderation can actually be healthy! Dark chocolate in the diet can reduce stress in two ways — via its chemical impact and its emotional impact. Chocolate feels like such an indulgence that it can be a real treat to simply savor a piece of it, and that feeling alone can help to reduce stress. However, it’s also rich in antioxidants, which helps to reduce stress by lowering levels of stress hormones in the body. But be sure to enjoy dark chocolate in moderation. That means you should aim to eat only one-fourth of a small dark chocolate bar (about 1oz) a day. Also, try and make sure the bar doesn’t contain an unnecessary surplus of added sugar.

#3 Whole Grain Toast with Peanut Butter

According to research, carbohydrates can temporarily increase levels of serotonin, a hormone that boosts mood and reduces stress. Once serotonin levels are increased, people under stress have better concentration and focus. In combination with this - the peanut butter contains nuts! As mentioned earlier nuts contain Vitamin B - a key anti-stress vitamin. Don’t limit yourself to just this carbohydrate snack - just make sure to choose healthy, unrefined carbohydrates, like sweet potatoes and whole grains, for better nutrition, and limit simple carbs, such as cookies, cake, and “white” foods, including white pasta and white bread. Unrefined carbs cause a quick spike and crash of blood sugar.

?#4 Citrus Fruits and Strawberries

Some studies have found that high levels of vitamin C may help ease stress levels. One double-blind study, published in the Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, reported that vitamin C reduced stress levels in participants taking 500 mg per day, and also pointed to possible anxiety prevention. Another study, looked at vitamin C and vitamin E and found a significant decrease in anxiety levels in the vitamin C group compared with other groups. Eating fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and strawberries is a good place to start!

#5 Sipping on Tea

Although we wouldn’t classify tea as a snack - who doesn’t love a warm cuppa? And it’s benefits are too good not to mention! Sometimes it's actually the feeling that food or drinks induce, not their nutrients, that helps reduce stress. Drinking a warm cup of tea is one way to help make yourself feel calmer. Past research has suggested that holding and sipping a warm beverage increases feelings of interpersonal “warmth” and friendliness. There's a soothing effect of sipping a warm drink, regardless of the flavour — but certain herbs, like lavender and chamomile, have been shown to have a relaxing effect on their own.