The Practical Nutritionist, LLC

Audrey J Pellegrino, M. Ed, M. HN

Holistic Nutritionist/Educator

603-768-3214

practicalnutrition@gmail.com

www.pnutritionist.com

STRESS

Stress!  Even in the “dog days of summer” we all have stress in our lives.  I recently sat to become nationally certified in nutrition, I considered that to be stressful.  Getting into an automobile wreck or losing a job is stressful.  Trying to prepare a wedding reception for one hundred in three day’s time is stressful.  Yet these are unusual times of stress in our lives, not daily occurrences.  In prehistoric times being chased by a large mammal who wanted to eat you would have been considered stressful.  Since prehistoric times our bodies have always had a fight or flight reaction to these times of high stress.  Yet in today’s society your body encounters low grade daily stress, from the pollutants in our environment and our overly busy scheduled lives. It is usually the constant, minor stressors that cause disease or illness.

There are tried and true remedies to reduce the stress in our lives.  A warm bath (a hot bath will add to your body’s stress), relaxing music, exercise, yoga, aromatherapy and nutritional supplements.  The nutrients known as antioxidants help your body combat the fatigue, overwork of adrenals and mental cloudiness and confusion that can often occur with stress. 

Sea vegetables such as Dulse or Kelp have always been used in times of stress.  They contain algin, a fiber which helps to detoxify the body, relieving some of the physical stress on your system. Whole grains are high in B vitamins which are your “energy” vitamins, nuts and seeds are high as well and are a significant source of essential fatty acids (which help your hormonal system maintain equilibrium).   Whole fresh vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables and fruits are high in vitamins A and C.  Corn is high in vegetable E and it is easy this time of year to put everything together and make a great tasting stress reducing meal.

You can start your day with a whole grain cereal, seeds and fresh fruit and then for lunch make a whole grain wrap with lean turkey, fresh spinach, tomatoes, sprouts and a flaxseed and lemon dressing.  Go ahead and sprinkle some Dulse flakes into a pot of fresh vegetable soup in place of table salt, and don’t forget to add a cup or two of fresh greens.  Invite friends over for a Mexican night and make a bowl of fresh corn salsa and enjoy it with whole grain or baked corn chips (the friendship and food will go a long way towards decreasing your stress level).  Better yet, be really adventurous and invite friends over and have everyone make their own California rolls with fresh vegetables, brown rice and a sweet and sour citrus sauce rolled in Nori (a sweeter sea vegetable).

By eating a positive nutrient based diet you will be giving your body what it needs to help combat the daily onslaught of stress that it feels.  If possible take other steps to further reduce your stress, such as assigning some of your work to others, carpooling, cutting out membership to committees that do not leave you with personal satisfaction and creating a bit of time for yourself every day.  Cut back on the negative foods which use up the nutrients you need, such as white flour, sugar and caffeine.  Your body needs a vacation and since it is summer and it will not last long, pack a picnic go to the beach or the mountains and enjoy it!  You will feel the positive effects beyond the day or days you spent stress free.