When we feel anxious or depressed, most of us want to disappear into a bag of chips, sodas, and Lays chocolates. But while it’s nice to indulge in those comfort foods when you’re down, they can actually worsen anxiety and depression, making the symptoms even more unbearable. There are also some foods and drinks that you might think are healthy, but can actually bring your mood down significantly. Here’s what to avoid eating or drinking if your mental health isn’t the best.
1. Fruit juice
Many people think that fruit juice is “natural” and therefore will immediately improve your mental health. But it’s just the opposite: With no fiber, it’s essentially healthy sugar water which will land you in a crash-and-burn scenario. After the sugar high wears off, you’ll be even hungrier and in a worse mood. Eat whole fruit or make a smoothie, but if you’re thirsty, drink water first.
2. Regular and diet soft drinks
Soft drinks are enemies of anxiety and depression, although they can make you happy when you drink an ice-cold Sprite or Cola. In fact, sugary drinks are directly linked to depression and will greatly increase blood sugar. Instead, drink sparkling mineral water! The same goes for diet sodas, which can still contain caffeine and therefore make anxiety worse.
3. Light/Sugar Free Dressing
These salad dressings are not healthier. These dressings are sweetened with aspartame, which is an ingredient commonly found in diet sodas and is linked to both depression and anxiety. Make it at home from scratch! All you need is a bit of lemon and olive oil. Just know: whenever you see a sugar-free product in refrigerators or on shelves, this is the problem.
4. Hydrogenated oil
Not sure what this is? All fried. Fried mozzarella sticks, fried chicken, fried calamari and our biggest temptation: French fries. These foods can cause and worsen depression. Food is usually fried in hydrogenated oil, which has trans fats and can clog arteries (and brain function).
5. white bread
Say no to toast and white bread on sandwiches. Instead, switch to a multigrain or whole wheat option. Processed white flour immediately converts to
6. Frozen foods
They’re a dream come true for a busy weekend or a lazy weekend. Especially when there are so many diet-friendly options like Lean Cuisine, right? Wrong. Any frozen meals contain loads of extra salt, and high sodium levels can throw your neurological balance out of whack. It can promote depression and even interfere with your immune system response. Salt causes you to retain fluid and bloat, which also promoted body image related depression.
7. I am willow
Soy sauce is heavy in gluten, which isn’t great for our digestive systems and can cause allergic reactions. Even for those who aren’t celiacs, soy sauce is high in gluten which can lead to a significantly higher chance of depression. Maybe skip that sushi night.
8. Coffee or caffeine
It might feel impossible for you to give up your daily cup of java, but consuming caffeine is pretty much asking for your anxiety to make itself present, or get worse than it already is. For people with social anxiety, caffeine can make them feel extremely nervous, even in small amounts. Caffeine also stops you from absorbing Vitamin D and B vitamins, both of which balance your mood. Opt for chamomile instead.
9. Fermented or aged foods
When you’re feeling bad, why not hunker down with some cheese, wine, and pickled goods? If you suffer from anxiety or depression, you might want to hold off on that charcuterie board. These foods are filled with histamines. Histamines are neurotransmitters and byproducts of creating fermented or pickled foods. They can aggravate your hormones and nervous system, along with triggering anxiety and sleeplessness.
10. Canned soup
Homemade soup tastes better, but it’s also a lot better for your sanity. Many foods packaged in cans and plastic containers contain BPA, or Bisphenol. BPA is a chemical that can destabilize your mood-stabilizing neurotransmitters. It does this by altering genes in the stress-control area of your brain. Kids who consume lots of BPA are more likely to develop anxiety. Try to eat brands that use BPA-free packaging.
At the end of the day: eat more whole foods, and don’t shortcut. Junk food might feel cathartic, but taking a holistic approach is the best way to practice wellness and make sure that your mood stays stable, peaceful, and healthy.
blood sugar, boosting energy before sending you into a crash spiral. Even better? Go with rice.
