Most everyone experiences anxiety and bothersome thoughts on occasion. If you have obsessive compulsive disorder, however, worrisome thoughts, ideas, feelings, sensations or behaviors make it difficult to function normally. Fortunately, OCD is treatable, often through psychotherapy, behavioral changes and medication. Although no OCD-specific diet exists, healthy eating habits may enhance your physical and emotional well being and support conventional treatment in managing your symptoms.
Helpful Foods
Eating a balanced diet, based on nutritious foods, is particularly important for people with nervous system disorders, according to the Association for Comprehensive NeuroTherapy, including OCD. To prevent mood imbalances and heightened anxiety associated with blood sugar imbalances, choose primarily whole, natural carbohydrate sources, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and incorporate protein-rich foods into your meals and snacks. Nutritious protein sources include fish, lean poultry, egg whites, low-fat dairy products, tofu and legumes, such as beans and lentils. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are prevalent in cold-water fish, such as salmon, flaxseeds and walnuts, play an important role in brain function. Deficient intake of omega-3 fats can cause mood swings and depression.
Foods to Limit
Foods that may offset your blood sugar levels and moods include refined grain products, such as white bread and low-fiber cereals, sugary foods, such as candy and soft drinks, and salty snacks, such as potato chips and french fries. Consuming too many of these foods also leaves little room in your diet for nutritious fare. The ACNT recommends avoiding caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and energy drinks, which may heighten anxiety and prevent restful sleep. Alcoholic beverages may cause similar effects.
Complications and Challenges
OCD often coexist with or lead to an eating disorder, according to OCD Chicago. If you have anorexia, which is characterized by extreme weight loss, distorted body image and weight loss obsession, you may fixate on or conduct ritualistic, unusual dieting behaviors. If you have bulimia, which is characterized by cycles of binging and purging, you may become obsessed with over-exercise or other purging or binging behaviors and experience extreme anxiety when you resist them. These symptoms suit a diagnosis for OCD. Although treatment options for OCD associated with eating disorders is its an infancy stages, reaping proper treatment for your eating disorder may help reduce OCD symptoms as well. You may also experience OCD symptoms related to food and eating without having an eating disorder. You may have difficulty eating a healthy, balanced diet out of fear that someone or something has contaminated your food, for example.
Suggestions
If you have difficulty sticking to a healthy diet, seek guidance from a qualified health care professional. Although treatment for OCD associated with eating disorders is its an infancy stages, according to OCD Chicago, reaping proper treatment for your eating disorder can help manage both conditions. Avoid restrictive diets, which may perpetuate anxiety and stress and trigger nutrient deficiencies. Aim for balanced meals and snacks at regular time intervals and allow for flexibility rather than strive for perfection. To reduce blood sugar imbalances associated with sweets or other processed foods, consume it with a fiber or protein-rich food. Have low-fat milk and fresh berries, for example, with chocolate cake.
References
- National Center for Biotechnology Information: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- "Latitudes"; Natural Treatments to Relieve Anxiety & OCD; 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- OCD Chicago: Relationship of Eating Disorders to OCD
- National Eating Disorders Association: Know Dieting: Risks and Reasons to Stop
