Nutritionist suggests eating these foods to combat wrinkles, bloating and brain fog
Stress isn't something that visits in episodes these days rather, it sticks with us, often lurking in the background of every waking moment. It's a constant hum, tightening muscles, clouding thoughts, sending digestive rumblings, and it even speeds up aging.
Like a volcano primed to erupt, chronic stress can leave you feeling raw, exhausted, and fragile. But easing that confused sense that your body is perched on the edge isn’t impossible. Sometimes, all it takes is a thoughtful raid on your pantry to invite relief.
Registered dietitian and chef Nicolette Pace shares with the New York Post her top pantry picks to calm three telltale signs of prolonged stress: wrinkles, bloating, and brain fog. Her simple, everyday food suggestions align with what science tells us about nourishing our way back to balance. Let’s explore how combining her guidance with evidence-backed nutrition brings both clarity and calm.
Take a hard line on wrinkles
Too much sugar in the diet doesn’t just spike energy and mood, it also speeds up skin aging. When sugar molecules bind to proteins like collagen and elastin, they stiffen and damage these fibers, causing skin to lose elasticity and form wrinkles, sagging, and other signs of aging.
Nutritionists point out that cutting back on sugar and instead combining complete proteins such as chicken, eggs, or beef with vitamin C–rich foods can set off a chain reaction that helps build and strengthen collagen. Studies show that antioxidant-rich foods play a similar role in slowing this aging process, while diets loaded with refined sugars and trans fats accelerate it.
Get rid of that “gas-tly” feeling
Bloating is one of the most uncomfortable ways stress can show up in the body, often leaving you sluggish and irritable. Certain foods, however, can ease the pressure. Ginger, papaya, and pineapple all contain natural enzymes that help break down proteins into smaller, easier-to-digest pieces, supporting smoother digestion and less gas.
Celery adds another layer of relief with its natural diuretic qualities and high water content, hydrating tissues in the digestive tract while encouraging regular movement. Nutrition research has long highlighted the digestive benefits of these foods, especially enzyme-rich fruits that improve nutrient absorption and calm the gut.
How to clear the brain fog
Stress doesn’t just weigh on the body, it clouds the mind. The forgetfulness, lack of focus, and mental fatigue often described as “brain fog” can be softened with foods rich in lutein, a carotenoid found in dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, as well as in carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and cantaloupe.
Lutein crosses the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in brain tissue, where it helps sharpen memory, attention, and processing speed. Studies have shown that higher lutein intake is linked to stronger brain connectivity and improved learning, while other research found that adults with higher lutein levels showed brain responses similar to younger individuals.
Like a volcano primed to erupt, chronic stress can leave you feeling raw, exhausted, and fragile. But easing that confused sense that your body is perched on the edge isn’t impossible. Sometimes, all it takes is a thoughtful raid on your pantry to invite relief.
Registered dietitian and chef Nicolette Pace shares with the New York Post her top pantry picks to calm three telltale signs of prolonged stress: wrinkles, bloating, and brain fog. Her simple, everyday food suggestions align with what science tells us about nourishing our way back to balance. Let’s explore how combining her guidance with evidence-backed nutrition brings both clarity and calm.
Take a hard line on wrinkles
Too much sugar in the diet doesn’t just spike energy and mood, it also speeds up skin aging. When sugar molecules bind to proteins like collagen and elastin, they stiffen and damage these fibers, causing skin to lose elasticity and form wrinkles, sagging, and other signs of aging.
Nutritionists point out that cutting back on sugar and instead combining complete proteins such as chicken, eggs, or beef with vitamin C–rich foods can set off a chain reaction that helps build and strengthen collagen. Studies show that antioxidant-rich foods play a similar role in slowing this aging process, while diets loaded with refined sugars and trans fats accelerate it.
Get rid of that “gas-tly” feeling
Bloating is one of the most uncomfortable ways stress can show up in the body, often leaving you sluggish and irritable. Certain foods, however, can ease the pressure. Ginger, papaya, and pineapple all contain natural enzymes that help break down proteins into smaller, easier-to-digest pieces, supporting smoother digestion and less gas.
Celery adds another layer of relief with its natural diuretic qualities and high water content, hydrating tissues in the digestive tract while encouraging regular movement. Nutrition research has long highlighted the digestive benefits of these foods, especially enzyme-rich fruits that improve nutrient absorption and calm the gut.
How to clear the brain fog
Stress doesn’t just weigh on the body, it clouds the mind. The forgetfulness, lack of focus, and mental fatigue often described as “brain fog” can be softened with foods rich in lutein, a carotenoid found in dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, as well as in carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and cantaloupe.
Lutein crosses the blood-brain barrier and accumulates in brain tissue, where it helps sharpen memory, attention, and processing speed. Studies have shown that higher lutein intake is linked to stronger brain connectivity and improved learning, while other research found that adults with higher lutein levels showed brain responses similar to younger individuals.
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