Today’s guest post by health writer, Jaclyn Desforges, is about how to use food to alleviate anxiety issues. I’ve personally struggled with anxiety my whole life. But instead of accepting it as my fate I’ve worked to reduce it by practicing Qi Gong and making better food choices.

It has helped tremendously.

If you weren’t born with a nervous system predisposed to anxiety, developing digestive health issues can create anxiety, both physically and mentally, where there was none before.

This guest blog is about harnessing the power of food to support and balance the body and nervous system.

Eating right could be as powerful as medication for some people, and the only side effect of eating right is feeling better.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS GUEST POST….

 

How food choices can increase or decrease anxiety

Feeling stressed? Anxious? Paranoid? You’re not alone. Even if you don’t have a full-blown anxiety disorder, the stress of day-to-day living is no picnic for our minds or our bodies.

It’s tempting to blame outside circumstances for how we’re feeling inside. But what if something ridiculously simple — like the foods we’re eating — could actually be causing (or contributing to) the problem?

According to The Antianxiety Food Solution by Trudy Scott, participants in a 2010 Australian study who ate a whole foods diet were less likely to experience anxiety and depression than those who ate a typical Western diet.

Warning: if you have a serious anxiety disorder, you may need medication or other interventions to get it under control, but also don’t neglect the foods you’re putting into your body.

Even if dietary issues are only causing 10 percent of your anxiety, that’s 10 percent that you can easily fix.

So how do you keep your stress levels in check with food?

 

Keep your blood sugar steady.

Fluctuating blood sugar can cause nervousness, shakiness and irritability, which can feel a heck of a lot like free-floating anxiety.

Anxiety can often cause people to lose their appetites and stop eating. Sometimes, the subsequent blood sugar crash can cause you to feel nauseated and want to eat even less.

I once lost 20 lbs. in a month from this stress-crash-nausea cycle — not the kind of diet you want to go on!

The solution? Avoid sugar and refined grains, and eat some form of protein with every meal. This will prevent blood sugar spikes (and subsequent crashes), keeping you feeling steady and calm all day.

 

Eat plenty of foods that are rich in stress-busting nutrients

Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and B vitamins are all protective against anxiety. Studies have shown that eating wild, fatty fish such as salmon is beneficial for mental health, and countries where people eat a lot of seafood have lower depression levels.

Grass-fed beef also contains good levels of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins B6 and B12.

Antioxidant-rich veggies are protective against oxidative stress, a condition associated with mood disorders like anxiety. And healthy fats like olive oil are helpful for the nervous system and hormonal health, both of which are key for keeping stress levels under control.

 

Avoid foods that you’re sensitive to

All those helpful nutrients are useless if your body isn’t able to absorb them properly. Eating foods that you’re allergic to can damage the lining of your gut, hindering your ability to use the nutrients that are key to managing your stress levels.

Some common allergens include gluten, dairy and processed soy. Even if you think you don’t have a problem digesting these foods, try avoiding them for a while and re-introduce them one by one to see how you feel. You may have sensitivities to them without even knowing it.

Have you noticed a link between your stress levels and what you eat?

Jaclyn is a Toronto-based culinary nutrition expert, food blogger and recovering stress-a-holic. You can visit her Web site for delicious healthy recipes and more anxiety-busting tips.   

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