Did you know that there are several foods that you can eat to help curb your anxiety? Of course, these foods won’t cure it all together, and I would never claim a diet alone could cure anxiety, but these foods may help with your symptoms. We recently started incorporating these foods into my brothers diet, hoping they can help him with his anxiety.
14 Foods that help with Anxiety
To put it plainly, you should always be reaching for fruits, veggies, beans, legumes, and whole grains, and always drink water over carbonated drinks. Everyone should be trying to eat as healthy and as clean as possible, but here are 14 foods that specifically help anxiety:
- Whole grains
- Leafy Greens
- Almonds
- Asparagus
- Oatmeal
- Milk
- Teas like Chamomile or Green
- Turkey
- Blueberries
- Turmeric
- Fish
- Protein
- Avocados
- Foods with high Vitamin B like meats, leafy greens, or eggs
In my experience, most times just eating will help alleviate your anxiety. When people are hungry, they tend to become irritable and anxious. Also, make sure you don’t skip breakfast. No matter how busy you may be, make sure you eat something in the morning. Eating complete, balanced meals is also important.
Foods you Should Avoid:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Processed Meats
Alcohol and processed meats are foods everyone should try to avoid, or at least consume in moderation. Just recently WHO declared processed meats as carcinogenic, and we have known for awhile now that alcohol is linked to a lot of health issues and cancer. Additionally, these foods tend to worsen anxiety, and can even trigger panic attacks, especially the caffeine. Have you ever consumer caffeine only to feel your heart beating faster then usual? This tends to trigger anxiety in some people. It’s best to consume small amounts of caffeine, or cut it out completely, especially energy drinks!
What Else Can I Do?
- Breathing Exercises
- Meditating
- Mindfulness Exercises
- Get Adequate Sleep
- Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet
- Exercise Regularly
- Take Your Prescribed Medication Regularly
- Be Open and Honest With Your Doctors
It’s important to remember that a healthy diet along with regular exercise can help with your anxiety, however the best way to combat anxiety is to talk about it with a professional who can help you manage and medicate your anxiety. Only a doctor and professional can help you build a plan to manage your anxiety.
Please note that I am in no way a professional. These are tips I have learned along the way when dealing with my little brother’s anxiety, my husband’s anxiety, and my own anxiety. I also believe that diet and exercise alone may not always help manage anxiety disorders and there is absolutely no shame in seeking help, or taking medications!
We need to have open and honest discussions about mental illness, so we can end the stigma’s surrounding seeking help and treatment.
You are not alone!
This is an excellent list. I had no idea, but certainly plan on implementing more of these foods (and more often) into my meals. Thank you!!
I hope you can feel the benefits soon! It definitely helps our anxiety when you have a healthy diet!