by Ben Davies

Created on: May 22, 2009   Last Updated: May 29, 2009

Stress is a common affliction and can affect anyone, in fact, everyone experiences it at some point in their life. But did you know that different foods can affects your stress levels?

We all know what foods we should avoid, but many of us turn to ridiculously salty snacks and fat-filled microwave meals for comfort and ease - you probably feel disgusted by the way I have described them there, but when you are stressed, you want comfort food.

Sugar gives you a temporary rush, then after 20 minutes, it gives you a low, as energy from sugar is quickly used up. Furthermore, I am sure you don't feel happy after eating junk food because you know how bad it is for you - you know that fatty foods will make you put weight on, and sugar makes you feel low, yet by the time you have eaten it, it can't be undone.Psychologically speaking, this just makes you more stressed.

There are many foods out there which will alter your mood; I am afraid many of them are healthy, but naturally, they are tasty and will make you feel great!

Fruit, obviously, is fantastic. Some fruits contain your entire daily recommendation of vitamins and mineral, and they taste great, although for some reason, humans seem to be instilled with a psychological block which prevents them from eating fruit. As aforementioned, fast food makes you feel guilty, however, fruit has the opposite effect, purely because you know you have are eating healthily. If you are bored with the same old apples, bananas and oranges, branch out a little and try some more exotic varieties, like apricots, passion fruit or pineapple - have a bit of variety so you don't get bored!

It has been proven that every fruit contains vitamin B among a multitude of many other things, and this natural vitamin makes you feel happy, meaning it will make you feel considerabnly less stressed, if not properly happy!

Perhaps if you still don't relish the idea of consuming fruit, you could simply cut some up and put in a plastic container, covering with lemon juice to prevent it going brown. It is common knowledge that not many people will eat a whole apple, but when it is chopped up, most people will more than happily eat it because it is easy! Whether you are a student or don't work, you should prepare a fruit salad for lunch.

Breakfast is another golden opportunity to abolish stress. In the morning, you are likely to feel stressed if you think about the tasks ahead of you it is not uncommon to not be able to think past accomplishing

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