Have you noticed that eating certain foods may help with anxiety while some others make it worse? Well, I can show you what helps and what doesn’t.
Most of us know how serious anxiety can get. Just as depression keeps us from reaching our full potential, anxiety can do much of the same damage, just in a different way.
Medicines are prescribed for these disorders, ranging from anti-depressants to anti-convulsants.
But there’s a better way to “medicate” things like anxiety.
Some foods don’t just help with anxiety – they can greatly improve the quality of life for those who are lost in desperation.
Here’s an exhaustive list of foods that help ease anxiety vs. foods that don’t make the grade.
1. Rooibos Tea
This warm soothing beverage works wonders with anxiety. It actually has a mysterious effect on the stress hormone, cortisol. As you may know, cortisol is one of the main hindrances in effectively losing weight.
All goes full circle, affecting anxiety and having an influence on our body’s health potential.
2. Turmeric
This culinary seasoning is not just tasty with certain foods, but also a great solution for symptoms of depression, which is closely linked to anxiety. Turmeric has a natural antioxidant called curcuminoid which acts as a neuroprotection to improve your mood.
3. Organ Meat
It may not be a popular source of fighting anxiety, but organ meat is quite effective regardless. Organ meat is high in vitamin D, zinc and has high levels of choline, which synthesizes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
The liver of most animals is also high in vitamin B, the brain vitamin.
4. Dark Chocolate
One drink, infused with dark chocolate, at least one and a half ounces per day, produces a calming effect. This has been proven.
5. Greens
Leafy greens are filled with magnesium, which is known for its calming effect. It also regulates the adrenal axis of the brain.
6. Milk
Surprise! I bet you didn’t know milk was one of the foods that may help reduce anxiety. Well, milk is a great option served warm before bed. In this manner, it helps to reduce fidgeting and insomnia while providing a great source of vitamin B2 and B12, along with protein and calcium.
7. Almonds
These are great for boosting the immune system after anxiety has caused damage. They replace vitamins B2 and E with just a quarter cup each day.
8. Turkey
This poultry product does actually make you sleepy. It wasn’t just all in your head, it was in the chemical tryptophan. This chemical helps release a surplus of serotonin which is soothing to the brain and body.
Those are the foods that help with anxiety. Here are the ones that do not!
Unfortunately, many foods deemed unhealthy for us are the ones of which are the most addictive. These foods are also considered “fan favorites” in that most everyone has loved these foods at some point in their lives.
1. Alcohol
Drinking is a popular pastime, and many will use the excuse “wine is good for your heart”. But let’s not forget how alcohol is a natural depressant, able to exasperate the symptoms of depression, which is closely linked with anxiety.
Drinking is not the devil, but you should definitely partake in moderation.
2. Soy
This one may surprise you, like soy, previously, was believed to be exceptionally good for your health. This is only halfway true. In fact, only fermented soy is good for you, the rest is packed with substances that add to anxious feelings, like copper, which is widely known to increase this behavior.
3. Caffeine
The last thing you need is more “rocket fuel” when dealing with an anxiety disorder. Beverages such as coffee or soda have adverse effects on those who deal with anxiety, making social situations much worse.
Caffeine also blocks the absorption of vitamins D and B.
4. Canned or Packaged Foods
Foods stored in cans or plastic containers suffer from leaching, which means that chemicals bleed into the contained foods. Many of these chemicals can cause symptoms of anxiety to worsen, as opposed to eating whole foods packaged in “safe” containers.
5. Fruit Juices
Unlike fresh fruit and juices, store-bought varieties contain high levels of sugar and sugar substitutes. These sweeteners cause a heightened state energy much like having a panic attack.
6. Salt
Salt is known to increase blood pressure which makes the heart work harder to pump blood. When this process starts, the stress hormone, adrenaline, is released. Adrenaline is the powerhouse of anxiousness.
7. Food Additives
Anything that is added to your natural foods cannot be all that good for you. Things like aspartame, MSG, and various dyes just add more artificial substances to your body, continually decreasing the quality of your nervous system.
8. Processed Foods
Foods of this nature affect the gut in all sorts of ways. They are high in gluten and artificial sweeteners which feed harmful bacteria.
What else should we know?
When it comes to fighting anxiety, not only do you have to recognize the healthy and unhealthy choices with foods, but you also have to understand the best routine. Eating healthy means eating 6 small meals a day, including portions the size of your fist.
It is best if you reserve what’s called a “cheat day” so that you can reward your efforts. We are not in the military here and don’t need a strict regimen.
Did you have problems finding foods that help with anxiety? Well, now you have a cheat sheet. Try to incorporate some of these foods into your daily routine and reap the benefits of a calm life.
I don’t guarantee a miracle, but I do promise a change.