Stress Management For Dummies
Book image
Explore Book Buy On Amazon

Feeling anxious, nervous, stressed out? Need a quick food fix? Snacking, when done right, is an art. Anyone can down a candy bar or a bag of chips and a soda. The real skill is coming up with a snack that not only doesn’t add to your stress level but also helps you reduce the stress you already have. Here are some guidelines:

  • Avoid highly sugared treats. They’ll give you a boost in the short run but let you down in the long run. You’ll crash.

  • Stick with snacks that have high-energy proteins and are high in complex carbohydrates. They’ll give you a longer-lasting sustained pick-me-up.

Here are some specific suggestions of quick bites and snacks that can boost your mood and help alleviate some of your stress:

  • A piece of fruit — an orange, peach, apple, or banana. Just about any fruit is fine.

  • A handful of mixed nuts.

  • A bowl of whole-grain cereal with a sliced banana.

  • A spinach salad.

  • A bowl of fruit salad.

  • A soft pretzel.

  • A handful of blueberries.

  • Air-popped popcorn.

  • An English muffin. (Go easy on the butter or margarine. A little jelly is fine.)

  • A container of high-protein Greek yogurt.

  • A piece of dark chocolate (but just a piece!).

  • A serving of sorbet.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Allen Elkin, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and the director of The Stress Management & Counseling Center in New York City. Nationally known for his expertise in the field of stress and emotional disorders, he has appeared frequently on Today, Good Morning America, and Good Day New York.

This article can be found in the category: