The best and worst Foods for Anxiety

A question I get asked often is, what are the best foods to eat for anxiety and what should I avoid?

Unfortunately, due to anxiety a lot of sufferers can turn to alcohol and establish a poor diet to cope with how they feel. This usually comes through the need for a quick boost or a way to suppress how they feel.

The trouble is when we turn to food or alcohol to find some snippets of happiness or relief it can then lead to weight gain, a lack of energy, hangovers and a general feeling of unease that only increases our anxiety or unhappiness.

Change your diet and lifestyle

As I was recovering, I decided to eat more healthily and found that because of this change, I had so much more energy and felt calmer and less depressed.

I also understood the importance of burning off all my excess nervous energy and took up a fitness regime that suited me. These changes in my life made a lot of difference in how I felt overall. They are not the only answer to anxiety, but they can bring some much-needed relief to the way we feel and kick start our motivation to make other changes.

Good foods and bad foods for Anxiety

Try eating a healthy, whole-food diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. Include foods that are rich in B vitamins, such as whole grains, nuts, green vegetables, eggs and fish. To help lift moods and help calm anxiety, keep away from processed foods and eat more natural products.

Also, what we drink can affect our stress levels. Although drinking alcohol seems to have a calming effect short term, it dehydrates the body, leaving us feeling more anxious than ever and leading to non-productive days.

If like me, you feel you can’t give up altogether, then just try and moderate it. Avoid fizzy drinks loaded with sugar, instead drink plenty of water. I am personally not a big fan of water and drink the flavoured variety which is fine also. Avoid having too much caffeine, again, there is no need to give it up completely, just try and moderate it.

Below is a small list of foods to avoid and those to include in your daily diet to help with the symptoms of anxiety and stress. I don’t expect anyone to be perfect, I certainly wasn’t, but a few changes may help you feel the benefits. Click the two links below to see which foods to eat and which to avoid.

Exercise and Anxiety

Exercise is also great for anxiety, especially outdoors. It not only helps burn off all the stressful energy that can build up in the body but is also a great mood lifter. Exercise can help change your mindset, boost self-esteem and help calm an overactive mind. Even if you start with a walk in nature, just being in the outdoors in the fresh air and different surroundings can help lift your mood and bring a new focus to your day.

I found exercise a considerable benefit, it was not the reason for my recovery, but it did play a big part in it. I went from not being able to run 20 yards, to completing a half marathon, if you follow me on Instagram, you will see me in action. I also bought a bike, joined a walking club and started swimming. Not easy for someone who suffered from anxiety, but once I started, I got the bug and felt a whole lot better.

Benefits of Exercise

• More energy
• Reduction in stress
• Increase self-esteem
• Improved sleep
• Overall lift in mood
• Create a new focus and meet new people
• Helps declutter the mind
• Leads to a better diet
• Weight loss.

I always say that eating well and taking up some form of exercise is better and more effective than any tablet and without the side effects. This is another question I get asked often should I take medication with anxiety?