When life gets busy, the last thing you want to think about is what you should and shouldn’t be eating. It’s so much easier to grab quick donut instead of preparing healthy meals. We’ve all been there! But it is important to be aware that a even the stresses in everyday life can cause your cortisol levels to rise. Cortisol causes food cravings which can lead you to eat more, increasing your weight. Knowing this can help you choose your munchies a little more carefully.

Here are five foods you should eat, to help you combat the daily stresses in your life and get you through the day:

  • Spinach: This leafy-green veggie contains dopamine, a pleasure-inducing brain chemical. It not only can help keep you calm, but a 2013 study of college students found that the more veggies they ate helped them to feel happier and less stressed.
  • Berries: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries…these super-fruits are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C – important nutrients to keep you strong when dealing with stress.
  • Chocolate: Sure, go ahead and indulge that chocolate craving once in awhile! Like berries, dark chocolate is high in antioxidants. It’s also known to help lower your blood pressure, adding a sense of calm.
  • Oatmeal: It’s a good idea to add this complex fiber to the most important meal of the day! It makes your brain produce serotonin, a pleasure-inducing chemical. In addition, beta-glucan, the fiber found in oatmeal has been found to create contentedness, better than any other whole-grain!
  • Milk: A diet rich in vitamin D is crucial for keeping your cool, and milk is an easy source to get it. Studies have found people who had healthy levels of vitamin D had a reduced risk of panic disorders. Egg yolks and salmon are also foods with high lives of vitamin D.

It can be challenging to change the way you eat when you are under pressure, but the meals and snacks you decide to munch on could help you feel better and affect the way you handle stress!