7 Foods That Fight Stress (And You’ve Actually Heard Of Most Of Them)

Whenever I see an online article about foods that offer miraculous health benefits, I click on it. It's not because I'm in such bad shape and I'm desperate for a cure, but because I'm curious to see how many of the foods are actually recognizable.

Too often these lists include things that can only be derived from the eggs of a rare bird that nests exclusively on some heretofore unknown island exactly halfway between Fiji and Vanuatu. Don't bother looking for it. It's not on Google Maps yet.

When I recently came across a list of seven healthy foods that can help fight stress from Well + Good, I couldn't resist. I had to click and see what exotic delicacies would keep me out of a straitjacket.

The first two are avocados and yogurt. We're off to a good start. Then comes number three: maca. Cue the sad trombone. What is maca and where is its nest? According to the website, maca is "a cruciferous vegetable native to Peru." Well, I've heard of Peru. It's even on Google Maps, right next to Bolivia.

More about maca: It supports your adrenal glands, which manage your hormonal response to stress and help you cope with anxiety and fatigue. It’s also a libido-booster. Bonus!

Maca has a slightly nutty taste and is often sold in powder form, so it’s best to mix it in something. Powder from Peru? That might look suspicious during a routine traffic stop.

While it hasn't been a popular supplement for very long, it turns out that maca is readily available at health food stores and pharmacies all over Charlotte. Of course, Walmart and Amazon sell it online, too.

The rest of the suggested stress-fighting foods are common items. With only one out of seven being a mystery to me, I'm grateful for such a realistic grocery list. That in and of itself can help keep anxiety at bay.

If you're interested in reading more about why these foods can be helpful in managing stress, click here.