All of us get stressed at one point or another. It’s simply another fact of life. Unfortunately, stress also has various harmful effects on our health, which tend to become exacerbated when we try to deal with it in self-destructive ways. One such way is through eating often unhealthy things and justifying it with a quick, “But I deserve it.” Though this is bad for anyone, a new study finds that a combination of the two can lead women to gain 11 pounds per year, Medical Daily reported.

Surely, there are better ways to eat when stressed.  

From arguments with their husbands to problems with their kids, or work-related issues, it really didn’t matter what kind of stress the participants in the study were going through. When they were given a fatty, but oh-so-satisfying meal (eggs, turkey sausage, and biscuits and gravy) the day after being stressed, they burned 104 fewer calories over the next seven hours than their non-stressed counterparts. But perhaps more importantly, their insulin levels rose, which subsequently contributed to not only the storage of fat but also the inability of larger fat molecules to turn into smaller, ready-to-burn molecules.

The study involved 58 middle-aged women who visited the university’s Clinical Research Center on two separate occasions. Interestingly, the type of oil they used didn’t matter, even if it was one that’s relatively healthier (sunflower oil), as any participants who reported being stressed experienced a slower metabolism. For people who had higher levels of depression, the effects worsened.

There really are so many foods that are healthier to eat, while being just as satisfying. What’s even better is that they’ll help to counteract the effects of stress. Here are five of them:

Avocados

Delicious in guacamole or in a sandwich, the fruit is high in glutathione, which can prevent the intestines from absorbing fats responsible for oxidative damage. On top of that, it also contains lots of B vitamins like folate, which help with preventing heart disease and stroke.

Berries

Whether they’re strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, among the many others, all of them contain lots of vitamin C, which has been shown to reduce the physical and psychological effects of stress.

Almonds

Another food with high concentrations of vitamin B. It also contains lots of vitamin E, which boosts immune function. Only a quarter cup a day keeps the stress at bay.

Salmon

Not only is it rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, it also contains various powerful antioxidants like astaxanthin and selenium, which can help prevent oxidative stress and cellular damage.

Oranges

Vitamin C, again, helps prevent stress from going through the roof.