(WellnessPursuits.com) – Researchers have confirmed that too much stress can cause you to gain weight. This happens because the body responds to stress by producing excess cortisol.
This hormone makes life more difficult for those watching their weight by increasing their cravings for high-calorie foods, encouraging fat to accumulate on the stomach and slow down the body’s calorie-burning abilities.
The best way to beat stress is to avoid stressful environments, but that isn’t always possible. Eating foods with a high vitamin C content can help the body combat stress, blocking the cortisol hormone and possibly even leading to weight loss. Here are some foods that are rich in Vitamin C.
1. Oranges
There’s a good reason oranges have a reputation for promoting health. This fruit has a seriously high vitamin C content. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin C is 90 milligrams for males and 75 milligrams for females. A single serving of oranges can provide 88% of that recommended amount of vitamin C.
2. Papaya
Papaya has origins in Central America, but is now grown in subtropical and tropical regions around the world. This mild fruit has an impressive nutritional profile with 87 milligrams of vitamin C. It is also pretty low in sugar, with less than 9 grams per serving, and high in fiber.
3. Pineapple
If you like Pina Coladas, make sure you’re loading them up with this tropical fruit. Super sweet and slightly tart, this is a delicious, stressing-busting choice. Not only does pineapple contain 78.9 milligrams of vitamin C per serving, but it is also a source of bromelain, which is known to reduce bloating.
4. Kale
Fruits aren’t the only option for loading up on vitamin C. This hardy, leaf green might help lower cortisol levels because it is loaded with vitamins. A cup of kale contains just over 80 milligrams of vitamin C, along with 1.3 grams of dietary fiber and tons of vitamin K.
5. Brussel Sprouts
Another veggie starring on this list because it has a lot of vitamin C — 74.8 milligrams in a one-cup serving, to be exact. Brussel sprouts also have 3.3 grams of dietary fiber and taste amazing sauteed with shallots and bacon.
6. Grapefruit
This fruit is especially cool because it doesn’t just contain 71.8 milligrams of vitamin C; it also affects your metabolism. Specifically, an older study published by Metabolism found that eating grapefruit before a meal improves insulin resistance and could encourage weight loss. Remember to check with your doctor to make sure none of your medications interact before loading up on this fruit.
Diet changes can make a big difference to your health and well-being, but overwhelming stress often can’t be managed with a diet change alone. If the stress in your life feels particularly burdensome, consider seeing a counselor about other lifestyle changes that could help improve your quality of life.
~Here’s to Your Healthy Pursuits!
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