It’s the end of the semester for college students, and there is so much left to do: finish up campaigns, prepare for finals, squeeze in extra credit, and others are getting ready to walk the stage. As a grad student, I find myself stressing out over group projects and reviewing my notes multiple times for upcoming exams. It’s common for students to experience stress and anxiety during this time of the semester, so we’ve listed some “chill out” foods to help push us through these last few hectic weeks. So, ditch the greasy potato chips and sugary candy! Erin Dow, the expert chef for Guiding Stars, recommended her top five stress-busting foods:

• Nuts: Omega-3s help the body maintain a lower blood pressure during stressful situations.
• Kiwi: A high Vitamin C content helps reduce stress hormone levels in the bloodstream.
• Oatmeal: A small serving of complex carbohydrates can boost serotonin levels, leaving you more relaxed.
• Dark Chocolate: Studies show that regular consumption of a modest amount of dark chocolate can help reduce anxiety in those prone to it.
• Strawberries: High in magnesium, strawberries can help reduce anxiety and irritability.

Good luck on your finals and projects!

About Erin Dow: Erin Dow is the mother of three children, ages 11, 10, and 6 and is the Expert Chef for Guiding Stars, a nutritional navigation system that evaluates the healthfulness of foods based on nutrient density. She consults with school nutrition programs on healthy kid-approved recipe and menu development with a focus on scratch cooked foods. Her career as a chef spans fifteen years. Find recipes and more at http://guidingstars.com/.