Anxiety and stress are common conditions in our world today; unfortunately when stressed people tend to make poor diet choices that can exaggerate these feelings. Good food choices may help you, nutritionally, manage your feelings of stress and anxiety.
Whole Grain Foods
Choose whole grain bread, oatmeal, whole grain pasta, cereal and brown rice. Whole grain foods are complex carbohydrates that raise your serotonin level. Serotonin is a natural chemical that produces feelings of relaxation and calmness.
Broccoli
Broccoli is loaded with nutrients and also contains serotonin.
Arugula and Basil
These herbs are excellent for adding flavor to many dishes and also supply folate which helps with stress and anxiety and enhances your mood. According to General Hospital Psychiatry, there is a link between a deficiency of folate and vitamin B12 and mood disorders.
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are a great source of vitamin B5, which is sometimes called the anti-stress vitamin according to the Syrian Clinic. Bananas, avocados and milk are also good sources of vitamin B5.
Asparagus
A natural source of folic acid which helps to lighten your mood.
Foods to Avoid
Try to stay away from sugar, caffeine, alcohol and MSG. While some of these are commonly used to enhance energy or mood they only work temporarily and are associated with a crash; leaving you with the stress and anxiety that you had before and can make you feel worse when their temporary effects wear off.
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