Has anyone found a particular diet that helps anxiety?

[Carmel67]

I realize that keeping caffeine low helps but I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with modifying what they eat. I've been thinking that carbs may be bad for me as they affect my mood. I get a rush when they hit my system then I crash when they are through it. I have an extremely busy life and in the US, convenient foods are filled with yuk and carbs. I was wondering if I tried to modify my diet to eat mainly lean meats and veggies if that would help. I guess the good news is that it couldn't hurt. I've tried to research any connection between diet and anxiety but there doesn't seem to be a lot of literature out there. I know exercise is essential but right now, I'm so overwrought with anxiety that just getting through a day tires me to the point where I can't wait to crawl into bed at night.

[kimmy22]

No I haven't been given any specific dietary advice for anxiety - except for the obvious of eating healthy and drinking lots of water. If you do find anything specific to avoid I'd be interested to hear.

[Carmel67 in reply to kimmy22]

I have been toying with the idea of almost exclusively meat and vegetables and cutting out sugar and flour and the 'simple carbohydrates'. I know for a fact that when I eat this way - avoid the fast, convenient food - my mind clears a lot.

It is getting cold here and when winter approaches, I enjoy coffee in the morning. I had a cup the other day and felt like my skin was going to shoot off my body. So, no more caffeine for me. I felt like my chest was going to explode. So, I drink water and decaf ice tea.

[kimmy22 in reply to Carmel67]

I.m sure you already know but come off caffeine slowly. If you stop suddenly you will get terrible headaches. But yes I agree with you about cutting down on carbs. White bread and chocolate increase my breathlessness. Just a shame I love both of them.

[Floppyfibro80]

Caffeine is the biggest thing aside from smoking/alcohol. Limit to 3 cups daily by 3pm latest and swap the rest for decaf and it'll help with bladder issues also!

[Carmel67 in reply to Floppyfibro80]

I don't do alcohol simply because I know how easy it would be for me to drink through my anxiety. i would be addicted immediately. I don't want another issue to work on. My tendancy to eat through stress is bad enough.

[BettyA]

The only thing I know 'for sure' when it comes to your eating habits, is that people who consume a lot of sugar: candy, donuts, pies, cakes, etc... have a tendency to do exactly the same thing as what it does for kids: Crash and burn....Gives you a High then anxiety starts in soon after it starts to 'wear off.'

A lot of foods containing white flour such as cheap breads, buns, macaroni, spaghetti, etc... also have the same effect in that they become high glucose producing...

So using those types of foods sparingly does, I believe, help. I can tell the difference in myself.