Good Stress Eating

These are truly stress inducing times. Many of us feel eating helps to alleviate this non stop anxiety. The problem is we tend to eat the bad stuff - which can drive down our immunity. What to eat during these crazy days? Healthy!!!

Funny enough there are still snacks on store shelves. It's tempting to grab a few bags of chips and candy to get through these days. You can  - everyone does deserve a treat  now and then but limit what you eat. A better choice are tortilla chips and salsa. You can even make your own along with guacamole for a healthier choice. Homemade salsa requires sliced tomatoes , diced jalapenos, garlic and onions. If you like your dip mild, omit the jalapenos. Add finely diced pineapple and bell pepper for a different spin. Guacamole is another easy healthy dip. It's a blended mix of mashed avocado, Roma tomatoes (or any kind if you can't find them)along with cilantro and diced onions. You can sub in onion powder for the last if you find onions overpowering. Scallions are also milder but add a sweet onion flavor to the guacamole. Another healthy choice? Popcorn - of course and it will be welcomed for all these upcoming movie nights. If you can, get the Colonel Popper which is usually sold on Amazon. This lets you cook up a better bowl with olive oil and sea salt instead of the usual microwave packets laden with additives.

Anything sweet is especially alluring when you're stressed to the max. It's so easy to reach for those M&Ms and Junior Mints. Look, these are crazy , unprecedented times when all hell may break loose with the next day. Pop a small handful of these into your mouth to feel better and then focus on something a bit more nutritious. You still can have chocolate - but think about the darker kinds.These help boost your immune system thanks to the phenolic compounds which boost the effects of such Vitamin C and E along with the caretenoids. What is great about 80 o 90 percent cacao  is that the flavors can vary, with such interesting notes as raisin and coffee. Fresh fruit is a must during these times. Grapes are always a good nibble and kids love them. These tasty little  globes are full of resveratrol which helps fight inflammation. Keep in mind that wine also has this so knock back a glass or two to help you cope. Sliced apples and pears are also good sweet snacks. Dip apple slices in almond and peanut butters for a tasty savory-sweet treat. Strawberries are also good , especially dipped in dark chocolate however they're also great dipped in wildflower honey too.

These are the times for stress eating. Try to make those nibbles healthy with good for your snacks and sweets. These days are tough. You deserve a treat. Make it a healthy one.