Anxiety can be a positive thing when it encourages you to accomplish tasks and strive for your goals, but anxiety can also result in negative consequences, such as the development of anxiety disorders. Although there are many factors involved in the development of anxiety, the foods you eat can play a role. Eating a healthy diet that includes whole grains, vegetables and fruits in small meals eaten throughout the day will help reduce your feelings of experiencing anxiety.
Caffeine
Any food or drink with caffeine should be avoided if you are prone to anxiety. Caffeine is a stimulant and, as a stimulant, it can induce some of the symptoms of anxiety, such as increased heart rate. According to HelpGuide.org, caffeine can interfere with a person's sleep patterns, and it has been known to induce panic attacks. Getting regular amounts of good quality sleep is important for a person with significant anxiety. Sleep deprivation can cause fatigue; increased fatigue can decrease a person's coping skills. This decreased ability to cope with stress and anxiety can increase the amount of anxiety experienced. Foods with caffeine and that should be avoided include coffee, tea, chocolate and soda.
Sugar
Sugar is an ingredient that offers little nutritional value and can have negative effects on a person who experiences anxiety. Eating sugar causes your blood sugar levels to rise quickly, providing you with short bursts of energy. After this quick increase, your blood sugar levels will dip, making you feel fatigued and drained. These drastic changes in energy levels can cause increased amounts of anxiety that you are unable to cope with because of your lack of energy. If you are prone to anxiety, you should avoid foods high in sugar content, such as sugar, desserts, donuts, sugary sodas and candy. As an alternative to high-sugar foods, you should consume fruit as a way to satisfy your sweet tooth without experiencing a significant rise and fall in blood sugar. Fruits contain sugar, but they also contain a significant amount of fiber. Fiber counter balances the negative blood sugar spikes of sugar. Try snacking on certain fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol is often used as a way to self-medicate and overcome anxiety. People drink alcohol to deal with stressful events throughout the day and to help them get to sleep at night. According to the MayoClinic.com, alcohol can worsen the symptoms of anxiety. When you first drink alcohol, your symptoms of anxiety will often subside, but as the effects of alcohol wear off, the symptoms of anxiety can be triggered, reports HelpGuide.org. Therefore, you have to continue drinking to keep the symptoms of anxiety at bay; this can lead to substance abuse problems.
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