Foods That Trigger Anxiety

You've probably experienced anxiety when you faced an unfamiliar situation, or had to take a test or interview for a job. Anxiety can be defined as fear or worry about something happening in the future. Occasional anxiety is completely normal. But on-going stress and anxiety can harm your health and negatively impact your life. This article is about natural ways to reduce occasional anxiety by avoiding foods that can trigger anxiety. If you've experienced a high level of anxiety for 6 months or more, seek medical help.

Artificial Ingredients

Artificial ingredients are common in processed foods and are not healthy for you. If you experience anxiety after eating, start keeping a food log so that can you can track what you ate and the affect it had on your mood. Some of the most common ingredients that can cause anxiety are monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame, corn syrup, and guar gum.

Caffeine

Energy drinks, soda, coffee and tea can all contain caffeine and make you feel jittery and anxious. The artificial ingredients in soda and energy drinks can also trigger anxiety. Too much caffeine can inhibit the absorption of some vitamins including vitamin B. And your body needs B vitamins for relaxtion and mood control.

Sugar

Processed white sugar can be very inflammatory and cause your blood sugar levels to spike. Processed white sugar is most commonly found in mass produced foods that also contain artificial ingredients. The combination of the sugar and articial ingredients are not good for your health. As your blood sugar levels return to normal, you may feel very low energy. If your blood sugar rises and falls often enough, your body may release adrenaline and cortisol, which may cause anxiety.

Salt

Consuming too much salt can raise your blood pressure and increase the work your heart has to do. The extra workload on your heart can in turn cause your body to release adrenaline. The rush of adrenaline can be fun when you're on a roller coaster ride, but not so fun if you're just eating. You can control the amount, and type of salt you consume, by preparing your food at home.

Fried Foods

Processed fried foods such as chicken, battered fish, and fries, are really hard for your body to digest. If your body has a hard time digesting them, it can lead to indigestion, bloating, and gastrointestinal discomfort. The low quality fats that are used for deep frying can cause also cause inflammation. Finally, the digestive discomfort can trigger anxiety.

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