Five Foods that Increase Anxiety

Did you know the foods you choose can alter your mood? If you’re experiencing an increased or unusual amount of stress and anxiety, examining your diet can help. Read more about foods that can increase anxiety levels in adults and children below:

Sugary Foods
Sugary foods like pastries, cookies and other treats cause your blood sugar to spike, then crash. And during a blood sugar low, your body moves into “flight or fight” mode, producing more adrenaline. More adrenaline causes more anxiety, so keeping your blood sugar stable can help. If you are craving a sweet snack, opt for fruit which digests slower due to the high fiber content.

Sugary Drinks
Soda and fruit juices have the same effect on anxiety levels as sugary foods. Often fruit juice contains all the sugar, but very little of the fiber fruit contains.

Red Meats and Processed Meats
Inflammation is associated with anxiety, and both red and processed meats are high in saturated fats, known to cause inflammation. Subbing leaner meats or fish can not only reduce inflammation but potentially lower your anxiety in addition to other health benefits.

Coffee, Tea and Energy Drinks
All three contain caffeine, and while caffeine can help you feel more alert, it also decreases the serotonin your body naturally produces to regulate mood.

Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant and will make a person feel more relaxed and drowsy. But alcohol also disrupts sleep which is vital for proper functioning. If a person doesn’t get enough sleep or enough good sleep, their body doesn’t have the chance to recover, increasing irritability and anxiety. Avoiding alcohol, especially in the evening can help decrease anxiety throughout the day.