PORTLAND -- Stressed and always turning to chocolate or junk food to calm your nerves?
Dietitians shared a eight foods with KGW that could help beat the stress, without packing on the pounds.
"There's no such thing as free calories. They all count," said Dr. Cindy Reuter with Providence Health & Services.
Reuter said some healthy alternatives to chocolate, a handful of almonds or walnuts.
Nuts were bursting with vitamin E, which could boost your immune system and nuts contained magnesium.
"Magnesium is one of those calming minerals that is difficult to get from the modern diet," said Dr. Reuter, a naturopathic physician.
Also, the next time you felt stressed, experts said grab an avocado. Avocados are packed with good fats and potassium that could help lower your blood pressure.
"Potassium is another one of those unsung heroes. There's a lot of foods that are rich in potassium. It's very important for heart health and bone health especially," said Dr. Reuter.
Skim milk could also act as a calming agent. Milk was rich in calcium which reduced muscle spasms and soothed tension.
Another comforting food was oatmeal. It was a complex carbohydrate which helped the brain produce more serotonin.
"Sometimes carbs get an undeserved bad wrap. Instant oatmeal wouldn't be my first choice for people home. Cooked oatmeal would be great," said Dr. Reuter.
Oranges were another stress-busting food packed with vitamin C. And spinach.
"It's rich in magnesium. It's all rich in certain keratin's which are vitamin A relatives that are really important to our immune health," said Dr. Reuter.
And the archenemy of stress hormones -- omega-3 fatty acids, which were swimming in fish like salmon.
"They have a very benefiting effect on mood regulation. There's a lot of studies that show fish oil can be beneficial for people with depression especially," said Dr. Reuter.
Nutritionists stressed eating these "8 foods" in moderation and eat fresh fruits and vegetables, plus raw nuts, not salted or roasted nuts.
And when it came to fish, eat a three-ounce portion a couple times a week.
While experts said no food was a cure all, certain ones could help manage your stress.
