Foods That Reduce Anxiety

Do You Know The Foods That Reduce Anxiety?

If you suffer with anxiety or panic attacks, you probably have already noticed how your moods are affected by the foods you eat. I have always called them my ‘mood foods’. Well today one of my friends shared her own journaling of her ‘mood foods.’ She has learned how to keep her anxiety under control just by eating the right foods and staying away from the ones that causes her to have anxiety and panic attacks.

Foods To Reduce Anxiety

Are You Eating The Right ‘Mood Foods’ To Lower Anxiety

I think she is worth listening to as she has been anxiety free for over two years! I know I am going to keep this article handy…you might like to bookmark it to!

Here is what she shared with a few of us today.

“I know for myself, that yes certain foods and drinks do cause anxiety and panic attacks. I suggest keeping a journal of everything you eat, drink, even over the counter meds, etc. And also record in your journal any symptoms or sensations.

Many times I did not get the symptoms until hours after consuming the items that I am sensitive to, so a delayed reaction is certainly possible.

I had panic attacks for many years, but have been panic free for two years and three months because after keeping a journal I was able to find a connection between certain things and my panic attack symptoms. Then I was able to eliminate or control whatever was triggering my attacks. I hope things are better for you soon! I wish you all the best!”

Then naturally we all asked her a lot more questions! All the ‘hows’, ‘whats’ and amazement in her personal success was expressed by all of us. We asked her things about what she ate and how did her diet cause anxiety attacks? We all wanted to know how it reduced her anxiety symptoms. Here is her response…

Be Careful What You Eat

“You have to eat, but just be careful of what you eat. I learned from my own journaling that after eating out I had more panic attacks, palpitations, chest pains, head pressure, dizziness, etc.

I am sure it is because of all the MSG and many other additives that they use. Just be careful of what you order when eating out and at home, use more natural foods and less processed foods.

  • Most processed foods are loaded with additives. I think that most people with anxiety and panic attacks are more hyper sensitive to everything including additives, MSG, artificial sweeteners, nitrates, sulfates, caffeine, alcohol, artificial food coloring, too much high acid foods and drinks, and many other things.
  • Keep as close to natural as possible. Eat a healthy balanced diet. Drink lots of water and make sure you are getting enough sleep, lack of sleep is bad for anyone with anxiety. Don’t wait too long to eat, whenever I waited too long before eating I had more panic attacks.
  • Make sure that you are also getting enough vitamins and minerals like magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, folic acid, D3, C, fish oil and a multiple vitamin and mineral. (Natural supplements for anxiety.) Cinnamon is good for helping to regulate the blood sugar.
  • Keep a good journal, you will learn what you are sensitive too, including which restaurants you can eat at with no problems, and which ones to avoid. It can take several months of good journaling to start seeing the connections, but you will see them. And you will see that some food and drinks you can consume with no problems, others that you can consume with moderation, and some that you will want to completely avoid.”

So who is going to get a journal now? I am always saying write everything down so you can find your own triggers. Now you can see why it is so important. If my friend hadn’t been so diligent with her journal she wouldn’t be anxiety free today, because she wouldn’t  have known what was causing her symptoms!

Avoid Food Additives

Another question arose. One regarding MSG. It is a good question too, because most of us have heard of it…but do we all really know what it is or does to us? I think we have all heard that it is used in many Chinese food restaurants…but my friend explained it very well…

“Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly added to many processed foods, some restaurant foods, some canned vegetables, some soups and processed meats. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that’s “generally recognized as safe,” the use of MSG remains controversial. For this reason, when MSG is added to food, the FDA requires that it be listed on the label.

MSG has been used as a food additive for decades. Over the years, the FDA has received many anecdotal reports of adverse reactions to foods containing MSG. These reactions – known as MSG symptom complex – include:

  • Headache
  • Flushing
  • Sweating
  • Facial pressure or tightness
  • Numbness, tingling or burning in the face, neck and other areas
  • Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations)
  • Chest pain
  • Nausea
  • Weakness”

Now I would like to hear your questions! If I can’t answer them I will have my friend answer them for me…she is an amazing, wonderful lady and an inspiration to us all.

So what about your own experiences with your mood foods? Let us all know in the comments below!

Affiliate Disclosure

My website contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase any products mentioned in my articles, I may receive a commission. If you do, thank you!

About Jennifer Johnson

I suffered with social anxiety and stress for years. I discovered what my triggers were and learned to control them. Hopefully some of the natural anxiety relief techniques I have tried, will also be your solution.

Comments

  1. I’ve always wnated to know this..the foods that reduce anxiety. Espically since recently in the UK we found out that manufacturers have been feeding us horse meat instead of beef! Nowadays with all the artificial chemicals you get you just don’t know how..or what is affecting your body. I found this post and read to be so intelligent yet AMAZING..THANKS YOU RULE A++++!!

    • Thanks Debz,

      I’m glad you found my article helpful. There are foods that reduce anxiety and foods that increase it…so you have to be careful and watch what you eat.

      There are also foods that increase your serotonin levels when you are feeling depressed…so diet is everything, for so many things.

  2. tammy hunter says

    So do you have a diet plan that can be followed our daughter has suffered from anxiety disorder since elementary school she is now 19 we have done counseling off and on and done medications she currently moved back home because she just couldn’t handle living on her own and going to school.

    This is hard for her as well as us she just wants to live like a “normal” 19 year old on her own and going to college. We so much want to do what we can to help her and bring an end to this nightmare for her.

  3. You know I always heard that MSG was just not good for you however, I never knew what it really did to you. The frightening thing is who knows how long people have been ingesting this chemical and who knows how “damaged” they are if you will get used to it. Here is a great reason to go all natural! Scary stuff.

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