The Anxiety Diet - What Should You Be Eating?
Here you will learn about foods needed for an anxiety diet.
There is no doubt that what we eat, or do not eat, has a great effect on how we physically and mentally feel.
Using foods to combat the physical symptoms of anxiety is a smart way to enhance and even contribute to your own recovery. There are many anxiety diet foods that can make a difference.
Anxiety Diet Foods
Foods High in Vitamin C
Vitamin C has been shown to lower levels or cortisol and keep blood pressure at a healthy level. Foods that are high in Vitamin C are helpful in combating the negative mental and physical symptoms of stress and anxiety. Eating foods high in Vitamin C may help you deal with stressful events more comfortably and successfully.
Some foods that are richest in Vitamin C are red peppers, kale, citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli, and kiwi.
It is very important to note that Vitamin C is easily destroyed by heat and open exposure to air and sunshine. Eating Vitamin C rich foods are best if eaten raw. The longer you cook these foods and subject them to high heat, the more Vitamin C will be lost.
B Vitamin Rich Foods
B Vitamins are responsible for supporting neurotransmitters in the brain. They also help with supplying energy to the body as well as helping the body metabolize important amino acids.
Some foods highest in Vitamin B are oatmeal, pears, peppers, cabbage, squash, raw garlic, and even some spices, such as paprika.
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Calcium
Calcium is calming! I am sure you have heard many talk about that glass of milk at bedtime to help you when you cannot sleep. Well, it is true! Calcium has been shown to produce a sense of calm in many who are tense and it has tranquilizing effects.
Foods highest in calcium are yogurt, milk, sardines, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, kale, broccoli, and spinach. They are all great sources of calcium.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids have shown to improve cognitive function in those suffering with anxiety as well as depression.
A depression diet that is high in oily, fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines is good. Other good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids are found in walnuts, flaxseed oil, soybean, and canola oils.
Magnesium
Magnesium is important in an anxiety diet because it helps with the physical tension associated with stress and anxiety. Magnesium works with your muscles and helps them to relax. Usually people who are chronically stressed are depleted in magnesium.
Foods richest in magnesium are seaweed, soybeans, wheat bran, pecan nuts, filbert nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, navy beans, rice flour, rye flour, cherries, oranges, and peaches.
Proteins
Proteins rich in Tyrosine, Tryptophan and other essential amino acids help boost neurotransmitters in the brain. Seaweed, soy protein, and cottage cheese have the highest levels of Tyrosine. Some of the highest levels of Tryptophan can be found in seaweed, soy protein, sesame seeds, shrimp, lobster, crab, and also turkey.
Say NO to coffee and YES to green tea!
L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea. L-theanine promotes relaxation and focus without drowsiness. Although green tea does have some caffeine, some people are more sensitive than others to its effects on the body. If your anxiety is chronic, I would not encourage any caffeine until later in your recovery. However, L-theanine is available as a supplement without caffeine. To learn more about this supplement visit natural stress relief for some excellent information and resources.
Want more information?
These books come highly recommended. Be sure to click the link below to read more reviews. Do not forget, you can also find these books at your local library!
The Food-Mood Solution: All-Natural Ways to Banish Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Stress, Overeating, and Alcohol and Drug Problems--and Feel Good Again by Jack Challem (Author) , Melvyn R. Werbach MD (Foreword)
The Food-Mood Connection: Nutrition-based and Environmental Approaches to Mental Health and Physical Wellbeing by Gary Null Gary Null
What about deficiency?
It is also important to note that vitamin deficiency can be contributing to your anxiety symptoms.Your doctor can order specific tests to check your levels if you are concerned this may be part of the problem.
Deficiency is common for people with anxiety because anxiety usually produces a loss of appetite. Many find it difficult to eat when anxious and because of the lack of nutrients, this can contribute to you feeling more anxious.
Natural Supplementation with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and even high calorie drinks such as Ensure are helpful and sometimes necessary to support and maintain health. Especially if you find it difficult to eat specific recommended foods.
For More Information on overcoming anxiety with natural remedies, please visit Natural Stress Relief.
