Prevent yourself from eating these, and you will be well on your way to feeling relaxed
Some foods out there can make you feel worse, and only increase your level of anxiety if you turn to them in times of crisis. Here are the 10 foods that you definitely need to avoid when you feel that anxiety creeping up in the back of your mind. Prevent yourself from eating these, and you will be well on your way to feeling relaxed.
#Caffeine
A known stimulant and psychoactive drug, caffeine has long had a reputation for triggering the body's fight-or-flight response. Very similar to the symptoms associated with anxiety, caffeine can also make its users feel nervous, nauseous, light headed, jittery and yes, even anxious. If you're suffering through anxiety, I recommend reconsidering that morning cup of coffee and instead opt for an herbal tea or a green juice.
#Sugar
It can be easy to reach for the donut or dessert when stress or anxiety set in, but do not give in. Even though sugar momentarily makes the body energized, after a few minutes, blood sugar levels drop.
When blood sugar levels drop, feelings of anxiety kick in. If you crave something sweet when you’re anxious, eat healthy sweet foods like bananas and strawberries. Avoid table sugar and foods with added sugar.
#White flour
Speaking of sugar, white flour is a form of hidden sugar. It is basically a starch and your body turns it into sugar.
Eating sandwiches, cakes, donuts and other foods made from white flour will increase your blood sugar and your cortisone and adrenaline levels, and will give you feelings of anxiety.
#Alcohol
If you always grab a glass of wine whenever you’re anxious, you could be making things worse. Alcohol hinders the production a serotonin, which is responsible for regulating mood.
Drinking alcohol also causes dehydration, which can cause anxiety. Instead of drinking alcohol to deal with stress, try other options like deep breathing or meditation.
#Energy drinks
How about a boost of energy with a share of depression and anxiety? Energy drinks are exactly what you need. Rich in caffeine, sugar and chemicals, these drinks can cause heart rhythm disorders and sleep disturbances. Both of these factors increase feelings of anxiety and depression.
#Chips
Every time I eat chips, I always feel like I can eat a whole bag full of them, and then feel unbelievably disgusted when I actually do. The unhealthy fats in chips cause the mindless overeating that leads to depression. Yuck.
#Dairy products
Dairy products contain a protein called casein. Casein provides mammalian babies with amino acids, carbohydrates and two essential elements: calcium and phosphorus. You'll find them in high-protein dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream.
Casein has been associated with several ailments, including depression. Not everyone is casein sensitive so you should try a dairy-free diet for 30 days to see if protein-rich dairy products increase your anxiety. You may be able to consume it again later without side effects!
#Fast Food
Grabbing a Big Mac when you’re anxious can seem like a quick and easy option, but there are tons of chemicals and preservatives in that meal that will cause your mental state to decline rapidly. You’ll end up feeling tired, overweight, and moody at the end of the meal. It’s completely not worth it, even if you can conveniently order it at a drive-thru window.
#Spicy Foods
Spicy foods are particularly hard for anxious people’s bodies to process. Consuming spicy food tends to end in discomfort, because it will end up sitting in your stomach longer than it should. Inevitably, you’ll feel like crap. I won’t get into any further detail on this one; you all know where this ends…
#Fried foods
Not only are fried foods difficult to digest, but they also have very little nutrition. Combining poor food choices with unhealthy cooking processes is a sure-fire way to exacerbate your anxiety symptoms. Most fried foods like French fries, chicken and onion rings are cooked in hydrogenated oil. It not only does a number on your waistline, but it's also terrible for your heart.
Fried foods also may increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Moderation is key. The next time you find yourself at Five Guys, try the kiddie size fry instead of the large.
