While the rest of Miami -- and the nation for that matter -- was wondering whether the Heat would finally show the Spurs who's boss during overtime Tuesday night, all we could think about was where we could find a massive slice of fudge cake or pint of cookie-dough ice cream. Because we're stress eaters. And stress eating is a serious problem.
To get ourselves through the big Game 7 showdown tonight, we're asking the guests at our Miami Heat watch party to bring five of our favorite stress-relieving foods. Here's a look at an alternative to the usual beer and wings. They'll keep your stress levels lower and your fragile little heart a lot happier too.
1. Guacamole
Avocados have tons of potassium (more than 1,000 mg in the Florida variety), which help keep your blood pressure low. Who knew a scoop of guac could do you so much good? Kinda like losing a shoe or a headband.
2. Blueberries
They're packed with antioxidants as well as stress-fighting vitamin C. Putting out a bowl of blueberries for a basketball game seems so un-American, but we promise you that the high-fiber, low-calorie snack will get you through the next turnover.
3. Anchovy Pizza
Fish is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which keep stress hormones under control. While ordinarily we'd recommend a plate of salmon -- and we also acknowledge that anchovies are about the grossest food on the planet -- we know there's no stopping you from ordering pizza, so you might as well top it off with a natural stress-reducer.
4. Popcorn
"This isn't a movie. It's basketball. The real deal." Yeah, we know. (Unless you believe those the-league-is-rigged conspiracy theories.) But popcorn is a good carbohydrate for naturally boosting your serotonin levels. Which is basically what happens when you're on Ecstasy, by the way.
5. Ginger Honey Tea
Skip the brewski tonight and go for a cup of caffeine-free herbal tea. Seriously, trust us. Just try it. Tea is much more soothing and will calm your nerves, unlike coffee or alcohol, which gives you too many highs and lows, much like the Heat.
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