Foods To Avoid With Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal physiological reaction that helps your body cope with stressful situations. During stressful events, the brain releases adrenaline, which triggers the physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety including, increased heart and breathing rates, chest pain, difficulty sleeping and worry. However, when anxiety persists, it can be a debilitating disorder that negatively affects your quality of life. Certain foods and beverages may worsen anxiety when consumed regularly.

Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates, otherwise known as "bad carbs" are high in refined sugars and calories and low in nutritional value. Such foods include white flour products and fast-food. The brain needs a constant and steady flow of blood sugar or glucose. However, when a quick elevation in blood sugar is followed by a rapid fall, brain function is impaired. This pattern may drastically alter your mood and worsen the symptoms of anxiety.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a psychoactive drug found in coffee, tea, soda pop, and chocolate. As a central nervous system stimulant, caffeine may cause nervousness, affect perception and negatively impact sleep. It has also been shown to exacerbate anxiety-inducing events and worsen anxiety disorders such as panic disorder.

Alcohol

As a natural sedative, many people consistently drink alcohol to relax and to relieve the symptoms of anxiety. It is true that alcohol does decrease anxiety, but the effect is only temporary. Once the alcohol is metabolized by the body, the symptoms of anxiety worsen. In fact, heavy alcohol use has been shown to cause anxiety and using alcohol in this way may lead to an addiction.

Food Sensitivities

According to MayoClinic.com, many foods and food additives may increase adverse reactions that lead to anxiety. Some of these foods include wheat, corn, and dairy. To determine whether you are sensitive to specific foods or food additives, write down everything you eat and drink for one week and monitor your symptoms. This will help you decide whether certain foods should be removed from your diet.