Perfect Snacks for the Anxious, the Stressed and the Tired

Why scarf down junk food to distract yourself from stress when there are foods that could actually reduce it—and perhaps keep it from developing in the first place? Snacking on vitamin-C-rich bell peppers and citrus fruits may contribute to lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that is released when your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, sending more sugar into the bloodstream. Research suggests that large doses of vitamin C may actually stop stress before it starts by reducing the amount of cortisol released. For maximum intake, stick with raw sources—vitamin C is quite unstable and breaks down during cooking.