Can Diet Make A Difference To Anxiety
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Can Diet Make A Difference To Anxiety?

Many lifestyle factors can affect anxiety levels, but what about your diet? While the foods you eat aren’t likely to be the root cause, there are studies to suggest that certain foods and drinks can make anxiety better or worse. Here are just several ways in which you may be able to change your diet to help reduce anxiety.

Cut down on sugar

It’s a known fact that too much sugar makes people hyperactive. For anxiety sufferers, this can translate into a full blown panic attack. Sugar can initially provide a serotonin rush for many people that can temporarily ease anxiety – you may find that a chocolate bar or slice of cake helps to calm nerves. However, sugar also reduces the body’s ability to deal with stress, which can lead to worries piling up. Things become much worse once the sugar high wears off and you start to crash – anxiety levels are likely to be heightened during this period. All in all, it’s best reducing your sugar intake when you’re feeling anxious.

Take care with caffeine

Caffeine causes our stress hormone, cortisol, to spike. If you’re already feeling anxious, caffeine could elevate these feelings. Consequently, you’re better off doing without that extra coffee. An alternative option could be to try drinking decaffeinated coffee. There are also coffee blends as found at Evocoffee.co that blend CBD to help make you feel calmer. These solutions could be worth trying if you love your coffee and don’t want to give it up.

Be wary of alcohol

Alcohol is no good for anxiety either. While drinking can make many people more relaxed, anxiety levels can increase once the alcohol wears off. This can lead to intense anxiety the day after. If you’ve experienced this before, it could be a sign that you need to cut down.

Try herbal teas

When it comes to foods and drinks that ease anxiety, herbal teas are a great option. The likes of chamomile tea, green tea and peppermint tea are renowned for their calming properties. If you’re feeling anxious, it could be worth trying one of these teas. You can shop for herbal teas online.

Eat more pumpkin and bananas

Foods such as pumpkin and bananas are high in potassium. This nutrient is known for helping to regulate our heartbeat and reduce stress levels. As a result, such potassium-high foods are worth consuming when suffering with bad anxiety. This pumpkin-banana bread recipe at Liluna.com could be the ultimate combo for beating anxiety. Alternatively, you could just carry around a banana or some pumpkin seeds as a snack. 

Healthy Eating Tips To Reduce Anxiety

Award-winning writer, blogger, social media consultant and charity campaigner. Social Media Manager for BritMums, the UK's largest parent blogging network Freelance clients include Firefly Communications and Save the Children UK. Works with brands on marketing projects. Examples include Visit Orlando, Give As You Live, Coca-Cola and Kodak. Cambridge Law graduate with many years experience working across three sectors in advice, media relations, events, training and project management. Available for hire at affordable rates.

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