8 Best Foods for Anxiety or to Beat Stress

While general anxiety is a common feeling among the entire population, becoming present just before an important test or while pressure has been put upon a person to make an important decision, some people experience worse symptoms of anxiety. In more advanced stages, a person may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which is considered to be a serious mental disorder that can disrupt a person’s everyday life. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that around 18% of the American population has some kind of anxiety disorder. They also report that anxiety disorders are treatable, but less than 33% of individuals who suffer from these disorders are obtaining appropriate treatment methods that help reduce the severity of the symptoms they experience.

Anxiety can be caused by various factors, and medical experts have also discovered numerous types of anxiety disorders that affect individuals. The most common types of anxiety disorders diagnosed by doctors include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. The symptoms of each disorder defer from each other, but usually all anxiety disorders can cause a person to experience feelings of uneasiness, fear, and panic. Conventional treatments are the recommended method for reducing these symptoms, but they also come with the downside of possible side-effects. We would like to introduce you to seven foods for anxiety. These are foods you can eat to help reduce the symptoms of your anxiety disorder and to help you better cope with your daily stress.

Foods for Anxiety:

Spinach

Thanks to the famous cartoon “Popeye,” Spinach is mostly seen as a muscle-building food and valued for its high protein content. Protein, however, isn’t the only nutrient found in this “superfood.” Spinach is also rich in other nutrients, including magnesium and, according to Wellness Mama, symptoms of anxiety is a common symptom of magnesium deficiency. This is one of my favorite foods for anxiety, I add it to my morning smoothie almost daily.

Cashews

Cashews are among the most beneficial plant-based foods. These nuts may be low in fiber, but they are incredibly rich in nutrients and offer the powerful body antioxidants that are very beneficial. Cashews are good for your heart, blood, eyes and they also contain compounds that are good for weight management. One Green Planet reports that Cashews are also excellent for people who suffer from anxiety and high-stress levels.

Salmon

This one should not be something new as everyone is already aware of the high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids found in this fish. Men’s Fitness reports that a 12 to 15 ounce serving of salmon, which gives you approximately 2.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids, can reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress by 20% or more. A study by the Ohio State University College of Medicine also found that omega-3 is effective in reducing inflammation and treating anxiety disorder among a group of medical students.

Turkey

Time.com reports that a 3-ounce serving of the most popular Thanksgiving meat on the planet, Turkey, contains up to 310 milligrams of Tryptophan, also sometimes referred to as L-Tryptophan. This amino acid increases the production of melatonin and serotonin in the body. Tryptophan, in turn, can help to improve sleep and mood, as well as reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are delicious and can be added to many dishes. They are also very high in vitamin D, with a 100 gram serving of Mushrooms offering as much as 1136IU of vitamin D – this is 189% of the recommended daily intake for this vitamin. Since a vitamin D deficiency can lead to more severe anxiety and higher stress levels, supplementing your body with this essential vitamin can have the opposite effect (reduce your anxiety symptoms).

Cheese

Even though some people consider cheese as unhealthy, this salty food can help to reduce the symptoms of anxiety you are experiencing. One ounce of cheese contains about 224 milligrams of calcium. A low calcium count in the bloodstream can worsen anxiety; thus supplementing the body with a rich source of this mineral may help to reduce these symptoms.

Oats

Your favorite breakfast meal may also be your best friend when it comes to anxiety. Step To Health reports that oats help to increase serotonin production in the brain, which, in turn, provides your body and brain with a calming effect. When your mind calms down, the symptoms you experience also becomes less severe. Looking for a healthy breakfast to help ease your stress of the day to come, make some oatmeal! One of the best foods for anxiety.

Chamomile Tea

Although tea isn’t a “Food”, it’s still a drink that you consume and I love it. Chamomile tea has been shown to help relax the body and mind. It’s great for stress, anxiety and even insomnia. Chamomile tea is widely available in stores, it comes from a flower. The flower has calming effects, but also just drinking warm water can calm your body down. There are other teas that help with anxiety, stress and insomnia – they include: lavender tea, kava tea or ginseng tea. 

Other foods for anxiety and stress include (EAT THESE!):

⇝ dark chocolate

⇝ all leafy green veggies

⇝ asparagus

⇝ avocado

⇝ fermented foods (kimchi, kefir, natto)

⇝ kiwi

⇝ blueberries

⇝ banana

⇝ turmeric

Anxiety causing foods (AVOID THESE!):

⇝ sugar

⇝ artificial sweeteners

⇝ hydrogenated oils

⇝ trans fats

⇝ fast food

⇝ processed foods

⇝ foods with gluten

⇝ alcohol

⇝ coffee

⇝ high sodium foods

Source

Healthy.Happy.Smart Link

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