7 Foods That Relieve Stress

Updated: May 7, 2020

Child relaxing on grass

Do you feel stressed?

Are you constantly tired?

What about, overwhelmed and anxious?

If you’ve answered YES to any of the above, then fear not, dear AlgaeCal readers. We’re here to help you today with this stress-fighting post.

But before we get to finding out how to deal with stress effectively, we first need to understand: What is stress? And, how does stress affect my body?

First and foremost, stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand. It happens when we feel we can’t cope with pressure and this pressure comes in many shapes and forms.

When you start to stress, whether it’s about a work project, family or bills piling up, your body tries to cope. Stress is part of the fight or flight response that people have developed over years and years of evolution to stay safe from harm and get the kick they need to take down the sabre tooth tiger threatening the tribe. In fact, our tree and cave dwelling ancestors needed stress to escape predators and ensure they were motivated to go hunting and gathering for survival.

However, the stress of the modern world can wreak havoc on your body. When you start to stress, a range of changes start to happen inside you and some of them are really nasty. Stress causes your heart to beat faster, your blood pressure rises and your muscles start to tense up. Additionally, your digestive system slows down so you don’t get the energy you need and your immune system weakens, thereby making you more susceptible to sickness.

In the short term, stress makes you feel uneasy, hyper alert and tired, all at once, which is really unpleasant. But long term, stress can kill. Stress doubles your chances of a heart attack. The building pressure and workrate on your organs just makes it too difficult to function and your body will eventually give up.

It’s not all bad news though.

We’ve come up with some great ways for how to relieve stress! Check out the list we’ve compiled for you. Here are the 7 foods that reduce stress!

1. Avocado

Avocado isn’t just for guacamole. This creamy fruit is one of the best foods that relieve stress. It’s rich in easily digestible good and healthy fats. Plus, it has glutathione to protect your insides and lutein, beta-carotene, vitamin E and folate. It’s easy to add avocado to your diet. Have it on toast in the morning, scoop it into your lunchtime salad, or have it with tacos or a burrito for dinner!

2. Berries

7 Foods That Relieve Stress

A stable for the yoga guru. If you need something to show you how to deal with stress, then add some berries to your yogurt, cereal or just grab a healthy handful!Blueberries, Raspberries and Strawberries all pack a powerful antioxidant punch, which helps fight the causes and symptoms of stress. They may seem tiny, but they are jam-packed full of vitamins that help your body to relax. Now, what’s next on AlgaeCal’s list of mega-stress busters?

3. Garlic

Not just for keeping vampires away! Adding garlic to your sauces, dressings and soups is a fool-proof method for how to relieve stress. Adding some garlic bread to your meal may help you to relax and get back in control of your life. Garlic is filled with B vitamins, antioxidants and magnesium; three nutrients which help stop your mind racing with stress and anxiety. Pop some garlic alongside some pasta or into a curry. Or even, hang it around your neck on your trip to Transylvania!

4. Nuts

7 Foods That Relieve Stress- Nuts

Nuts are one of the best foods that relieve stress. Not only do they have healthy fats that lower cholesterol, they also help improve heart health and give you slow release, long lasting energy. They’ll be sure to help you get in touch with your inner-self and find a more serene mindframe. If your anxiety levels are driving you nuts, then grab a handful of almonds, cashews or walnuts. These three nuts have shown to be therapeutic effects for relieving stress.

5. Oatmeal

A steaming bowl of porridge in the morning is one of the great foods that relieve stress. Oats help get the calming pleasure hormone serotonin flowing. Oatmeal is one of the best foods for athletes and office workers alike. It takes one minute to make and goes great with any breakfast food. Go for thick cut oats for a longer-lasting effect.

6. Fish

7 Foods That Relieve Stress- Fish

Look to the sea for a foolproof way of dealing with stress. Oily fish, full of healthy omega-3 fats are great for your brain. So, if you have a build up of anxiety and stress, take your trolley to the seafood section at your local supermarket. Salmon is one of the tastiest, healthiest ways to beat stress. Easy to cook, and loaded with enough flavour to cook without added ingredients, salmon is one of the best foods to help reduce stress. If you get fish & chips, skip the chips and skip the stress.

AlgaeCal also has some supplements that provide an even easier way to get your Omega-3s!

7. Milk

One of the easiest and healthiest foods that relieve stress, is milk. Not only is it healthy, it’s easy to drink, inexpensive and available everywhere! Milk is high in antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients. Additionally, it’s packed full of protein, calcium and potassium. When you feel that stress building up, just pour yourself a glass of milk. For even more ways to get the right balance of vitamins and minerals, check out the Algaecal store for easier ways to get the right nutrients.

These 7 foods are just a few of the many easy methods for how to reduce stress. Once you have your diet under control with these stress busting foods, then you can take control of your headspace and fight against stress and anxiety!

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  1. Dara Henneke

    November 24, 2015 , 6:10 am

    I have referred 2 customers with your refer a friend program. One, my mother and the second my husband. Both times I was denied my $25 because they were shipped to the same address. My mother was visiting me- check the cc bill to address and you will see that it isn’t mine, My husband buys his own supplements. I called and was told that according to the “fine print” that shipping to the same address wasn’t allowed. I read your so called fine print again and no where was that mentioned. So I called back. The lady put me on hold and upon her return said that by having “subject to change” in the “fine print”, they could invoke that right.
    I am sorry the Algae-Cal has to ask for referrals but can’t deliver. I upheld my part. My mom bought a 6 month supply of your bone builder pack- not cheap for being on a fixed income. My husband will fine something else to try. What a misrepresentation of a good product. Dean- do you know this is happening in your organization?

  2. Monica

    November 24, 2015 , 9:19 am

    Hi Dara,

    So sorry to hear about your experience with the Refer a Friend Program. Know that someone is reaching out to make this right and they should be in touch shortly.

    We truly value you and your feedback as it helps us be better!

    – Monica @ AlgaeCal

  3. Bernadette Claveau

    November 25, 2015 , 6:59 am

    I had the same problem! Only I didn’t order because of it. I am scheduled for a 6 month follow up bone density to see how the product worked on me. In the meantime, my husband was diagnosed with osteoporosis and I put him on it. Then I saw the ad for customer referral and tried to get an order for him. Can’t be don if you live at the same address. Is it sensible to have to ask a neighbor to accept your order for your own husband?

  4. Monica

    November 25, 2015 , 9:09 am

    Hi Bernadette,

    Sorry to hear about your husband’s recent diagnosis. Someone will be reaching out shortly.

    – Monica @ AlgaeCal

  5. Mariann

    November 24, 2015 , 6:45 am

    While you’re upping the ante on these wonderful 7 foods, do yourself an even greater favor: stay off sugar to reduce your stress–it’s a vicious cycle once you start overindulging your sweet tooth. Enjoy high-fiber, low-sugar foods (yes, they really CAN taste good–just be patient to readjust your taste buds!) instead and have a sugar treat only as an infrequent treat (because totally staying away from sugar will just make you mentally crave it even more since your brain knows you’re denying yourself. Funny thing though, the less you indulge in it, the less you’ll want it physically and mentally long-term). And consider using natural sweetener alternatives instead. Your entire body will thank you for this!

  6. Monica

    November 24, 2015 , 8:39 am

    Great advice, Mariann!

    Sugar is definitely one that you should try to avoid as much as possible.

    – Monica @ AlgaeCal

  7. Mary Ulsh

    November 24, 2015 , 4:40 pm

    The only food that I think that you mention that helps with stress that I would not use is oat meal. It turns into a lot of sugar in the body when eaten. Sincerely, Mary Ulsh

  8. Monica

    November 25, 2015 , 8:57 am

    Hi Mary,

    Oatmeal is actually ranked quite low on the Glycemic Index (steel cut oats at 51) which is considered a ‘low’ GI food and an ideal choice for the sugar-sensible eater. When rated ‘low’ carbs are actually slowly digested, absorbed and metabolized not spiking your blood sugar like white bread or pure sugar (glucose) would.

    Hope that helps!

    – Monica @ AlgaeCal

  9. Ron

    November 30, 2015 , 6:43 am

    I would also add that when using milk use organic or perhaps even raw organic. We still can’t be sure how much of the milk out there is coming from cows treated with hormones or being fed things that are full of pesticides and other unwanted things. Some people have to watch the pasteurized milk because of the effect it can have on allergies, etc. And to tag on to Dara’s comment above I would hope that AlgaeCal is a company that can be trusted and true in what they are offering both in specials and product. To many companies are claiming to have products that are healthy and that can help us be healthier when in fact they aren’t. They even use the least of the best choices or even the least absorbable form of something or don’t include the right combinations of ingredients to make them work at optimum and claim it is great. It’s all about the money. If you research some products, not just vitamins and minerals, you find out that many things are not what they are advertised or proclaimed to be. They add just enough of something to be able to say it’s in there or that it does or does not do something. We need to start calling these companies and others out on the carpet, if you will, on these false claims.

  10. Monica

    December 2, 2015 , 10:53 am

    Hi Ron,

    Great comment. Organic or even raw organic are great options for milk and should be chosen whenever possible.

    As for AlgaeCal as a trusting company, you can definitely count on us. What sets us apart is that our products are backed by science and we don’t make claims that can’t be backed up. You can view the research peer-reviewed and published research here: https://www.algaecal.com/research/clinical-studies/ You can see that our formulation not only increases bone density naturally – the only calcium supplement able to make this claim (Health Canada has approved it) – but it’s been studied short and long-term for safety and efficacy. We also have a 7-year follow up study showing average increases of bone density of 1% each year for up to 7 years! With no side effects or safety issues. (This should be published sometime in the new year)

    If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re the real deal.

    – Monica @ AlgaeCal

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This article features advice from our industry experts to give you the best possible info through cutting-edge research.

Lara Pizzorno
MDiv, MA, LMT - Best-selling author of Healthy Bones Healthy You! and Your Bones; Editor of Longevity Medicine Review, and Senior Medical Editor for Integrative Medicine Advisors.,
Dr. Liz Lipski
PhD, CNS, FACN, IFMP, BCHN, LDN - Professor and Director of Academic Development, Nutrition programs in Clinical Nutrition at Maryland University of Integrative Health.,
Dr. Loren Fishman
MD, B.Phil.,(oxon.) - Medical Director of Manhattan Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Founder of the Yoga Injury Prevention Website.,
Prof. Didier Hans
PHD, MBA - Head of Research & Development Center of Bone Diseases, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Switzerland,