Anti-Anxiety: Greek Yogurt, Honey & Blueberries

Oh what this tart breakfast can do for you. Packed full of B vitamins and magnesium- two of which help reduce anxiety, as well as calcium, protein, probiotics and more. PLUS after getting used to it- I love the tang from plain Greek yogurt! (its an acquired taste)

This super simple mixture helps reduce anxiety by lowering blood pressure and offers a healthy dose of Vitamins B6 and B12. Plain Greek yogurt itself is also rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium and protein without a ton of added sugar. This combination is a great way to combat anxiety. (1) Mix some up with a little cinnamon, honey, and chia seeds for a deliciously sweet treat that can help satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you feeling good throughout the day.

Also, did you know that good gut health can help reduce anxiety? Sounds totally unrelated but it's not! All of the healthy bacteria in yogurt (especially yogurts that are not highly processed) help increase your gut health. (2)

A happy gut = a happy mind.

Check out this article from UVA Health explaining a bit more in depth.

As a side note, a couple of years ago I took a great interest in gut health and began researching. I highly recommend the book “Grain Brain” if you are curious on learning more about this especially as it pertains to gluten.

Recipe & How I make mine:

1. Buy the plain Greek Non-fat Yogurt from your local grocery store. Make sure this is the higher quality, "have to mix before you eat" kind of yogurt. If it separates after sitting a while- this is the kind you want!

2. I like to get organic blueberries from a local market, but if that's not possible just any old blueberries will work.

3. Local Honey

4. Chia seeds (if you wish). If you do choose to use chia seeds keep in mind they will expand and become "jelly-like" over night as opposed to eating them immediately. Chia seeds are a great source of healthy fats and fiber to help keep you fuller, longer.

This can be made the night before, or right before eating. Enjoy!

Sources:

(1) https://food.allwomenstalk.com/foods-that-lower-anxiety/

(2) https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/your-complete-guide-to-choosing-a-yogurt-to-meet-your-needs