

“You can either roast chickpeas yourself or buy them at the store - just choose a brand that has a limited ingredient list,” says Anzlovar, who likes the Biena (the Sea Salt flavor contains just chickpeas, sunflower seed oil, and sea salt) and The Good Bean brands.Ĭhickpeas come with other stress-reducing perks, too. While you likely won’t want to keep a can of them at your desk, you can stash a bag of dried chickpeas in your drawer. “For example, we need certain nutrients to manufacture serotonin, a hormone that helps you feel relaxed and increases your well-being,” Ansel adds.Ĭonsider storing these 10 snacks at your desk, so you can stay calm during tense times and prevent stressful situations in the future.Ĭhickpeas make for a great stress-busting snack because they have an ideal mix of fiber, protein, and fat to control your blood sugar, says Anzlovar. “Having the right nutrients on board can help you better deal with all of life’s pressures,” says Karen Ansel, RDN, a dietitian in private practice in Long Island, New York.

Then, when you’re not stressed, try to eat to keep your mood that way. RELATED: The Ultimate Diet Plan for a Happier, Less-Stressed You “Instead, you’ll want to snack on foods that keep blood sugar stable, which includes those that have fiber, protein, and fat,” she says. They act as a Band-Aid to initially calm your stress response, but then can lead to more stress as they spike your blood sugar, says Anzlovar.

“Your body craves carbohydrates to get your blood sugar back to normal, and that’s why you likely look for a quick sweet fix,” she says.īut even if you’re drawn to refined carbohydrates, like cookies and candy, those foods can actually do more harm than good. “When you’re stressed, cortisol, which is the fight-or-flight hormone, is released in your body, and that can drop your blood sugar levels,” says Sarah Gold Anzlovar, RDN, a dietitian in private practice in Boston. When your day feels out of control - maybe there’s too much on your plate, or perhaps you just got an angry email from your boss - there’s a good chance you want to reach for a snack.
