Foods To Help You Through Isolation

 

 

When you're confined to your home with feelings of stress, worry, anxiety and boredom it's normal to want to comfort eat and eat all of the bad foods and rightly so! But if you're starting to notice a decline in your energy levels, mood, sleep quality and motivation then it might be time to re-think what you're allowing yourself to eat and how often.

 

Foods and drinks like alcohol, sugary drinks and snacks, crisps, bread, pizza, biscuits and pasta not only leave you feeling sluggish and bloated but they can make you feel 'lazy' and tired and down. If you start noticing yourself feeling this way more often than not then it might be a good idea to limit your intake of these foods to just a couple of days a week, rather than everyday.

 

 

 

If you're really struggling with your sleep at the moment then these foods may help:

 

1. Almonds

They contain Melatonin and Magnesium amongst other things, both of which will help with your sleep quality and they are a great snack for when you're feeling peckis, to avoid reaching for the chocolate and crisps!

 

2. Bananas

They contain Magnesium and Potassium which help relax overstressed muscles and help you to sleep

 

3. Tart Cherry Juice

Has been known to help those with insomnia and is great inflammation and also helping those of you with chronic arthritis

 

4: Chamomile Tea

Very popular for aiding with sleep and one of my personal favourites at bedtime.

 

 

 

If you feel like you need an energy boost then give these a try:

 

1. Leafy Greens

Greens such as Spinach, Kale and Collard Greens contain high levels of iron and help to deliver oxygen to your cells. Greens are great to eat alongside your Sunday roast dinner or a nice mixed vegetable dish.

 

2. Legumes

Such as Lentils, Chickpeas, Beans & Peas are my favouritto eat! They contain high levels of Magnesium and help your body to create and sustain energy for longer. I usually mix them together in a salad with some onions, olives, cucumber and lettuce. 

 

3. Sweet Potato

A great alternative to white potatoes, sweet potatoes will boost your energy levels without the dread bloat! Make some homemade sweet potato chips, or a sweet potato and chick pea curry. 

 

4. Quinoa 

A healthier carb and protein that will sustain your energy levels and keep you full for longer. Tastes great hot or cold, I choose to eat it with salad to make the salad more filling. 

 

 

 

Foods to prevent bloating:

 

1. Celery

Has an extremely high water content and is high in Potassium, both of which will help control water retention and reduce bloating. 

 

2. Bananas

Another source of high Potassium which balances fluid and relieves trapped gas.

 

3. Ginger

Ginger has long been known to help with digestive issues and it enhances stomach emptying and reduces bloating.

 

4. Cucumber

Eating cucumbers can balance out your sodium levels and sodium is known for cuasing both water retention and bloating. Cucumber flushes excess water from your system and helps to reduce bloating 

 

 

Lastly, if you're feeling extremely stressed at the moment then these foods can help your body to fight off the stress response in your body:

 

1. Pistachios

These nuts hold lots of antioxidants which help to keep blood veseels open and relaxed when you're stressed.

 

2. Avocados

Rich in Carotenoids and Phenolics, Avocados have anti-oxidant capabilities which help to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress on the body

 

3. Leafy Greens

As mentioned above, Spinach, Kale and Collard Greens are full of B vitamins which makes them brilliant at not only boosting your energy but also improving your brain function and mood.

 

4. Lavender Tea

Many people associate Lavender with helping sleep but it can also help with stress headaches and inflammation in the body too, so is great to have as one of your herbal teas. 

 

 

Emma Thomson

 

Emma Thomson is the owner of gemzbyemz.co.uk – specialising in personalised jewellery and gifts engraved with your choice of photo or handwriting. You can view our ranges of products and gifts here.