Healthy eating is another way to combat stress and meet challenges head-on.<\/p>\n
\u201cFueling your body with proper nutrition helps reduce stress because it gives you enough energy to get through your day,\u201d explains Quyen Vu, M.S., Beachbody Culinary Nutrition Specialist.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t eat regularly or not enough, you\u2019re running on half-empty, which can make you feel drained or tired,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n
Eating right can help you feel at the top of your game, even when stress hits. Here are nine simple ways to reduce stress with nutrition.<\/p>\n
1. Find balance in topsy-turvy times<\/h3>\n
\u201cWith so much uncertainty going on in the world around us, one thing we can control is how we eat,\u201d says\u00a0Bansari Acharya<\/a>, M.A., R.D.N.<\/p>\n A balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables \u201cis extremely beneficial for helping manage stress.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHaving structure throughout the week requires some planning,\u201d says Acharya. \u201cBut when things come up, having that reliable structure in place makes it easier to be flexible. A meal-time routine also promotes consistency, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy mind and body.\u201d<\/p>\n A conference call goes on longer than scheduled. A new client is demanding. A lot can happen before lunch. Prepping workweek meals or batch cooking on the weekend takes the pressure off multitasking when you\u2019re under fire.<\/p>\n \u201cI also like knowing that if I get hungry, there is a perfectly delicious snack for me to eat, and I won\u2019t spend extra money on convenience foods,\u201d adds Vu.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t like being rushed in the morning, make and prepare your lunch the night before,\u201d says Vu.<\/p>\n This applies even if you\u2019re working from home (and steps from your fridge) to avoid pitfalls, such as skipping meals or reaching for unhealthy snacks during crunch time.<\/p>\n \u201cGetting the necessary nutrients your mind and body need to work efficiently and effectively is especially important when you\u2019re faced with daily stressors,\u201d says Acharya.<\/p>\n For the most satisfying meals and snacks, pair protein, carbs, and fat together to keep you feeling full for longer, adds Vu.<\/p>\n If you only have carbs, you\u2019ll most likely be starving by your next meal.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re fully focused on work, you might not notice how quickly that yummy bag of popcorn or chocolate chips is disappearing.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you do decide to have chips or candy, portion them out into a single serving so that you don\u2019t overeat mindlessly,\u201d recommends Vu.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t let yourself get too hungry because that can lead to overeating,\u201d says Vu. \u201cTake a break when you\u2019re feeling \u2018hungry and ready to eat,\u2019 not when you\u2019ve got a ravenous appetite.\u201d<\/p>\n Trying to work when you\u2019re starving can also make you feel more on edge.<\/p>\n Small changes can sometimes entice you to eat better. Simply cutting up your fruits and veggies into bite-size pieces can help you consume healthy foods, explains Vu.<\/p>\n \u201cFor example, if you don\u2019t like biting into an apple, you\u2019re not likely to eat it, but if it\u2019s cut up into pieces in a reusable container, you probably will,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n Cooking is a great way to take a break and prioritize taking care of yourself. \u201cIt can definitely be therapeutic,\u201d says Vu.\u00a0\u201cOnce you get into a groove of things, it can be something that you\u2019re looking forward to doing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne of my favorite meal preps is cutting up fruit and veggies for the week and putting them in matching containers,\u201d she says. \u201cIt helps me feel like I have my life together.\u201d<\/p>\n From the Beachbody On Demand Blog<\/a> – ![\"Reduce](\"https:\/\/howtobefit.com\/coach-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Reduce-Stress-With-Nutrition.960-715x358-1.jpg\")
2. Create calm through a meal-time routine<\/h3>\n
3. Prepare for the unexpected<\/h3>\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/beachbody-blog\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Reduce-Stress-With-Nutrition.600.2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n4. Make your own grab-and-go options<\/h3>\n
5. Feel nourished and empowered<\/h3>\n
6. Choose your treats mindfully<\/h3>\n
7. Eat before \u201changer\u201d sets in<\/h3>\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/beachbody-blog\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Reduce-Stress-With-Nutrition.600.3.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n8. Make it easier on yourself<\/h3>\n
9. Turn meal prep into R&R<\/h3>\n