Foods Relieve Stress Foods Relieve Stress. The idea that all types of stress-including psychological stress, physical exertion, lack of sleep, etc.-are the same, or can be relieved by consumption of particular foods, does not have any basis in research. Too many different factors, both physical and psychological, contribute to stress. Unless you know the root cause of the stress, it's difficult to know what foods and nutrients might be helpful in reducing or preventing it. We realize that some people try to reduce their stress by overeating, or by eating highly pleasurable treats. Although common sense tells us that our stress will only be made worse by unhealthy eating, we want to emphasize the importance of approaching stress with healthy changes rather than unhealthy ones. When feeling stressed, the best steps a person can usually take do not involve food. They involve physical relaxation and deliberate focus on breathing and on releasing stressful thoughts. Although we don...