King Kullen Shares Tips for Stress Awareness Month

Stress Awareness Month has been held in the month of April since 1992. Stress affects the mind and body and can lead to a wide range of illnesses such as headaches, stomach issues, and depression.

Make an effort to relax and unwind this month. Take a walk on a warm spring day, go for a run, or head to the beach or boardwalk for fresh air. Sit back and enjoy a good book with a cup of tea, spend time with friends and family or take up a new hobby. Try yoga for the first time or learn meditation.

Grocery shopping is important too because certain foods help with stress management. With Stress Awareness Month in mind, King Kullen put together a few tips for customers to keep in mind.

Start the morning with a bowl of oatmeal or yogurt. Oatmeal is full of complex carbohydrates, which can help to reduce stress levels and increase serotonin levels. The probiotics in yogurt can aid in reducing stress levels and anxiety.

Green leafy vegetables like spinach or kale are beneficial, too. Both contain folate which produces dopamine which affects mood. Enjoy them in a salad for a healthy lunch or sauté them in garlic for a savory side dish. Turn them into crunchy snacks with these recipes. Try Baked Garlic Spinach Chips (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199917670942779729/) or Kale Chips (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199917670942779733/).

Snack on fresh blueberries, pistachios and even chocolate. Blueberries contain phytonutrients and antioxidants, which improve the body's immune system and aid with response to stress. Pistachios contain heart health benefits due to phytonutrients that provide antioxidant support for heart health, plus the routine of shelling pistachios keeps the mind busy. Reach for a bite of chocolate when feeling stressed and looking for something sweet. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants which positively affects blood vessels and can lead to lower blood pressure and improved circulation.

When looking for dinner options, look for salmon or turkey breast. Both of these items assist in managing stress. Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids which can help combat stress hormones. One Sheet Dinners are easy and quick with minimal cleanup. Try this recipe for One Sheet Roasted Garlic Salmon and Broccoli (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199917670942779744/). The tryptophan in turkey is an amino acid, found in foods that are high in protein. This helps produce serotonin, which helps to stabilize moods and emotions.

The monosaturated fats, vitamin E and C, folate, and potassium in avocados help to lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, reducing anxiety and stress. Begin the day with avocado toast topped with an egg for added protein, add slices to a salad, make a sauce to throw over pasta for dinner, or dice and include in a salsa to top salmon, chicken, or turkey with. Try this creamy Avocado Salsa recipe (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AbOwdrz0bMyIeDR1RwMIq-jz19KcAcr8t6g_VapBP4wzhaiia7oWE5s/).

Visit the nearest King Kullen store to find the ingredients for any of these recipes.

About the Company:
Headquartered in Bethpage, New York, King Kullen Grocery Co., Inc. is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution as America's first supermarket. Michael J. Cullen opened the doors of King Kullen in 1930. Today, four generations later, King Kullen is still family owned and operated. It remains a leader in the supermarket industry. From that very first store in 1930, King Kullen today operates 32 supermarkets and five Wild by Nature stores across Long Island. In addition to traditional grocery, King Kullen features a large catering and prepared foods department, freshly-baked breads and sweets, and healthy and organic areas, with pharmacies and online shopping in many stores as well.

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