23 Nutrient-Rich De-Stress Meals And Snacks

Stress is caused by so many different factors – from work pressure to money and health worries, and it’s these triggers that cause our body to react.

For example, we produce more stress-response hormones when feeling anxious. While on the other hand, we can feel more on edge when our blood sugar spikes and drops.

The good news? Eating certain vitamins and minerals can help our bodies and brains retain a bit more balance, which can give us a great starting point to deal with stress.

Here are 23 food and drink ideas to help you cope better with the demands and pressures of life, chosen by our contributing dieticians Dr Carrie Ruxton and Jo Travers.

De-stress breakfast ideas

Baked paprika eggs

Why? These warming eggs contain vitamin B and a fifth of our daily nutrient reference value of vitamin D – both of which play a role in stabilising our mood. And vitamin-C-rich pepper, which helps support our adrenal glands (these produce stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline).

Chia oat parfait with berries

Why? Protein is key for helping to balance the neurotransmitters in our brain – they are made using the amino acids in proteins as building blocks. Yoghurt is rich in protein, while berries contain vitamin C.

Blueberry protein pancakes

Why? Both cottage cheese and oats are rich in protein, while blueberries are packed with vitamin C.

Baked berry porridge

Why? Protein-rich yoghurt meets vitamin-C-rich berries.

Cacao and sunflower seed granola

Why? These granola pots contain both magnesium-rich cacao and selenium-rich sunflower seeds. Magnesium helps to relax the body by limiting levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, while selenium is an antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress in our body and brain.

De-stress lunch ideas 

Courgetti, pea and avocado salad

Why? Avocados are rich in magnesium and peas are high in vitamin B – at times of mental stress or anxiety, the body needs more vitamin B to help turn protein into stress-fighting neurotransmitters.

Farro with peppers, artichokes, olives and feta

Why? Vitamin-B-rich wholegrains and vitamin-C-rich pepper are a powerful combination. Cheeses such as feta can also be high in vitamin D – when levels of this vitamin drop, so do levels of the stress-fighting neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.

Mackerel, watercress and radish pot

Why? This healthy salad contains both vitamin-D-rich mackerel and magnesium-rich beetroot.

Thai chicken, carrot and cashew salad

Why? Not only does this dish contain protein-rich chicken, cashews are also a great source of the antioxidant, selenium.

Coconut and pumpkin soup

Why? Pumpkin is a good source of zinc. The immune system is depleted by prolonged stress and zinc is essential for keeping it healthy. Protein-rich seeds and vitamin-C-rich pepper are also effective for dealing with stress.

De-stress dinner ideas

Turkey and sweet potato chilli

Why? With protein-rich beans and turkey this is a great dinner choice. Plus, all B vitamins (B6, 9, 12, thiamine and folate) are present in turkey, helping to fight stress and anxiety.

Salmon and broccoli buckwheat risotto

Why? Green vegetables such as broccoli are a good source of chromium – we need it to make the mood-boosting hormone serotonin, and it has a role in blood sugar regulation. This risotto also contains vitamin B-rich wholegrains and salmon.

Rump steak with parsnip mash

Why? Beef is rich in both zinc and protein, while broccoli contains mood-boosting chromium.

Mushroom, spinach and chickpea curry

Why? Mushroom are another food rich in vitamin D, plus protein-rich chickpeas and magnesium-rich leafy greens make it a great stress-fighter.

Cauliflower steaks with harissa and goat’s cheese

Why? For a veggie dinner idea, try cauliflower steaks. Cauli contains vitamin C, while goat’s cheese is a good source of vitamin D.

De-stress snack ideas

Banana yoghurt pots

Why? Yoghurt is high in protein while tasty pecans are rich in magnesium.

Brownie energy balls

Why? Brazil nuts are particularly high in oxidative stress-fighting selenium, while seeds, particularly chia, are protein-rich.

Pumpkin granola bites

Why? Pumpkin contains zinc and sunflower seeds are a source of selenium.

Beetroot hummus crudités

Why? Beetroot contains stress-reducing magnesium, while snacking veg is a great source of vitamin C.

Veggie crisps with spicy hummus

Why? Chickpeas are particularly high in protein, coupled with the vitamin-C-rich veg.

No-alcohol drinks ideas

These no-alcohol cocktail ideas are a great alternative to your favourite tipples. Opt for low alcohol or zero alcohol drinks whenever you can – it may help you feel more in control of your stress levels.

Cucumber and elderflower cooler

Beetroot Virgin Mary

Peach and lemongrass cup

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Vitality is making it easier to make good food choices with Waitrose & Partners.

Eligible members with Vitality health or life plans can get up to 25% cashback on products with the Good Health logo when they get active.

Or members with two eligible plans can get up to 40% cash back. Visit the Vitality app for more details. Cashback is available on Waitrose Good Health products online and in-store, excluding drinks, and is based on the Vitality activity points earned in the previous month. Online purchases have a minimum spend of £40 and a delivery charge will apply. A monthly spend cap applies of £100 for individual plans, or £200 for plans with two or more adult members. To use the benefit, you will need to register for a myWaitrose card and link it to your Vitality membership.