By Dt. Preetha Kiran Anchan, Dietitian/Nutritionist

There are foods that you stuff yourself with when you are under stress or suffering from acute anxiety. More than often, these foods actually do more harm than good. And then, there are foods which actually go a long way in reducing anxiety as well as boosting your health.

Here are some foods that do such jobs of reducing anxiety with targeted efficiency:

1. Asparagus:

One of the best choices would be Asparagus.Asparagus has high levels of folic acid, low levels of which has been linked to increasing anxiety and stress. It provides high folic content to your body which reduces stress.

2. Include Avocado in your diet:

Reduction in Vitamin B content in the body can be linked to anxiety. Avocado, being rich in this nutrient as well as Potassium and Monounsaturated fat, lowers the blood pressure.

3. Blueberries:

Blueberries boost of antioxidants and Vitamin C, which are great stress-reducers. As a bonus, they’re quite tasty too.

4. Drink Milk:

Milk boasts of a high content of Vitamins B12 and B2, Calcium, Protein, Antioxidants. They reduce pain in the muscles as well as surging blood pressure, contributing to stress relief.

5. Salmon:

Consisting of much-required omega-3 fatty acids, Salmon stops adrenaline and cortisol from increasing when you’re stressed and protects your heart from being affected.

6. Spinach induces relief:

Though it might not be your choice of delicious food, but it is packed with magnesium which controls and reduces the levels of cortisol and induces a general feeling of wellness.

7. Oatmeal:

They induce the secretion of serotonin in the brain, which induces calm. Also, being rich in fiber, they take a long time to digest, thus the stress-busting effect persists longer.