8 Foods To Avoid If You Have Anxiety

There are numerous lists available for the foods to include in your diet that can have a number of positive effects on your health. You may consume certain foods to enhance your skin, your hair, and even your weight loss.

What isn't talked about as much are the things to avoid, which may already be part of your everyday diet.

Food has a profound impact on our emotions and state of mind. "Foods packed with essential nutrients, including folate and magnesium, play a significant role in elevating serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter responsible for inducing feelings of happiness and contentment. Whether you find solace in dates, relish a spread of green, red, or imli chutney, or indulge in fruits and millet preparations, remember that with every bite, you hold the key to modulating your mood," says Dr. Ushakiran Sisodia, Registered Dietician and Clinical Nutritionist, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital.

Here are a few foods that you should avoid if you have anxiety.

Fruit Juice

Whole fruit contains fiber, which fills you up and decreases the rate at which your blood absorbs energy. Without it, you're merely consuming nutritious sugarwater that might briefly energize you and then swiftly deflate you. That can make you hungry and angry, or "hangry." This will not help with anxiety. Consume the fruit whole. To quench your thirst, sip water.

Alcohol

Alcohol is bad for your health in a variety of ways. Drinking too much can affect your speech, balance, and mood, among other things. Alcohol has been demonstrated to have long-term effects on mood, cognition, balance, and memory. A little bit of alcohol may disrupt your sleep. Lack of sleep can worsen sadness and anxiety. More issues can arise from having too many pegs.

Energy Drinks

They can cause abnormal cardiac rhythms, anxiety, and sleep problems. This is due to the fact that the extremely high caffeine levels concealed in substances like guarana are not always obvious. These drinks frequently contain large amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners as well. When you're thirsty, sip water. Need a sugar rush? ingest some fruit.

Toast

Toast, what? Yes, if it's made of white bread. It's produced from highly processed white flour, which swiftly converts to blood sugar after you eat it. That may result in energy fluctuations that are detrimental to anxiety and depression. You are allowed to have your bread and eat it. Use only whole-wheat bread. 

Ketchup

Is it mostly tomatoes? Yes, and lots and loads of sugar. To be precise, four grams per tablespoon. Additionally, the "light" products can contain artificial sweeteners that have been linked to depression and anxiety. Instead, try making your own tomato salsa. Do you want a little zing? Mix in some cayenne pepper.

Coffee

The caffeine in coffee can make you jittery and anxious if you're not used to it. It might disrupt your sleep as well. Neither relieves anxiety or sadness. You may experience unpleasant symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. Caffeine should be gradually removed from your diet if you believe it is causing you issues. Coffee can actually help you feel less depressed if you're okay with it or if you drink decaf.

Soy Sauce

This one is only for those who are gluten-sensitive. It can be found in prepackaged meals like soy sauce, in addition to breads, noodles, and pastries. Gluten sensitivity can result in sadness or anxiety. Additionally, it may make you feel drowsy and less than your best. Look at the labels and try to stay away. 

Processed Foods

You are more likely to experience anxiety and depression if you consume a lot of processed meat, fried food, refined cereals, candies, pastries, and high-fat dairy items. You can stay more level-headed by eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seafood, and other high-fiber foods.

Published on: Sunday, September 03, 2023, 07:10 AM IST