Yes, it is possible to combat anxiety drug-free. However, it will surely take a lot of willpower and patience on your part to enjoy results in an all-natural approach. One of the things that you may do if you want to put your anxiety under control without popping a pill in your mouth is minding carefully what you eat every single mealtime.
According to experts, here are some of the foods that you should include in your diet to combat anxiety:
1. Turkey
Eating turkey is a wonderful idea because it contains the amino acid tryptophan. This building block of protein is known to help in lifting the mood and reducing anxious thoughts because of its ability to influence the production of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter and is one of your various happy hormones.
2. Chicken
Aside from turkey, you may also obtain good amounts of that anxiety-lowering tryptophan from chicken. Whether you prefer chicken over turkey or vice versa, consider opting for the breast part because it is said to pack more tryptophan. In addition, get rid of the skin to lower your consumption of saturated fat and cholesterol.
3. Fish
If you really want to keep your intake of saturated fat and cholesterol to a minimum and at the same time beat anxiety, then simply opt for fish. Make sure that you go for the oiliest of the bunch such as herring, mackerel, trout and sardines as they are loaded with healthy fats that are proven to help keep the brain healthy.
4. Avocado
You may also supply your brain with those healthy fats simply by consuming half an avocado a day. Many people steer clear of avocados as they are believed to cause weight gain. However, that’s an issue you shouldn’t be concerned with provided that you eat avocados in moderation only.
5. Nuts and Seeds
Cashews, almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, sunflowers seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds — all of these nuts and seeds are also phenomenal sources of anxiety-busting healthy fats. So go ahead and snack on them, or sprinkle a little of them on the next anxiety-zapping food on this list.
6. Oatmeal
If you are suffering from anxiety, then you should start your day with a bowl of oatmeal. That’s because this breakfast staple is loaded with B vitamins and magnesium, which are nutrients that are scientifically-proven to help combat anxiety. Feel free to snack on a serving of oatmeal at any other time that your stomach grumbles.
7. Leafy Greens
Magnesium can also be obtained from a variety of leafy greens — the darker the color, the more magnesium present. But other than yielding magnesium, green leafy vegetables also have hormone-balancing properties. There are many problems that can strike from hormonal imbalance, and anxiety is one of them.
8. Berries
Experts say that just about any type of berry is a great addition to the diet of someone who has anxiety because it helps in keeping the brain in tip-top shape. If you want to make sure that every snack time is an anxiety-smashing time, consider going for a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries as they’re overloaded with antioxidants.
9. Dark Chocolate
Snacking on two tiny squares of dark chocolate (amounting to about 1.5 oz) on an everyday basis is a great idea if you are suffering from anxiety. It’s for the fact that it lifts the mood and also reduces stress, which is something that’s known to trigger an anxiety attack. Look for dark chocolate that’s at least 75% cocoa.
10. Green Tea
Many of those with anxiety swear by the effectiveness of green tea in helping them relax. Although it contains a small amount of caffeine that can trigger anxiety, green tea contains good amounts of L-theanine that relaxes the brain. But if you are really sensitive to caffeine, you may skip green tea and simply opt for chamomile tea.
