The 14 Best Foods to Help Reduce Anxiety—Plus 3 Foods You Should Avoid

While there are a wide variety of anxiety management tools out there— yoga , therapy, meditation , and journaling , to name a few–one of the most simple yet powerful ways to combat your anxiety is through your diet.

Food has the power to energize and give us strength, yet many people don’t take full advantage of it. It’s the fuel we need to function, so it’s important to be mindful of what we put into our bodies.

If you’ve been feeling anxious, start with giving your diet a tune-up. Here are 14 foods recommended by mental health experts to calm your mind. Foods for anxiety

Pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

Pumpkin seeds can be a food to help reduce anxiety because they are a good source of magnesium and zinc, Holly Klamer, MS, RDN , explains. Low magnesium has a role in managing anxiety and regulating mood, so eating foods high in magnesium could help reduce anxiety. Zinc has been shown to play a role with lowering anxiety. An ounce of pumpkin seeds provides 18% daily value (DV) magnesium and 20% DV zinc. Eggs

Eggs contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps create serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter that helps to regulate sleep, mood, memory and behavior, says Dr. Holly Schiff, PsyD , Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Serotonin also helps improve brain function and relieve anxiety. Anxiety is considered to be caused by low serotonin levels. Egg yolks are a good source of vitamin D , which can boost your mood and counter some of the negative effects that lead to anxiety. Legumes

Lentils, beans, and peas are classified as lentils and this group of foods is not only a good source of plant-based protein, but also a good source of magnesium, aka the “calming mineral,” Maggie Michalczyk , Registered Dietician Nutritionist, states.

Magnesium is very important for many functions in the body including muscle relaxation, and lowering blood pressure – both important for helping to prevent and reduce feelings of anxiety. It’s even known to help with sleep, so adding these foods into your dinner might just help you relax and feel less anxious before bedtime. Dark chocolate

Research has shown compounds called flavanols in dark chocolate can have a positive effect on mood and may help promote the growth of new neurons in the brain. Besides flavanols, dark chocolate also provides a source of magnesium, Klamer says. Dark chocolate, as opposed to milk or white chocolate, has higher levels of flavanols and has less sugar. Portion size should be around an ounce per day.

Dr. Schiff also recommends dark chocolate. “Chocolate, especially pure dark chocolate, reduces cortisol, the stress hormone that causes anxiety symptoms. Dark chocolate also has antioxidants, called flavonoids, which are responsible for reducing neuroinflammation and cell death in the brain, which results in improved brain function and protects your cells,” Dr. Schiff explains. “Dark chocolate also increases serotonin in the brain, boosting mood. Dark chocolate is high in magnesium and sufficient amounts of magnesium can reduce symptoms of a mood disorder, like anxiety.” Walnuts

The anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts that provide this benefit, says Dr. Tricia Pingel, NMD , an Arizona-based naturopathic physician. According to a 2018 meta-analysis , consuming omega-3 fatty acids significantly helped to reduce the symptoms of clinical anxiety.

And a 2016 study on male college student found that those who regularly consumed walnuts reported about a 28% improvement in mood. Plain Greek Yogurt

Yogurt is a food for reducing anxiety because it is a source of zinc and probiotics . Probiotics are considered healthy gut bacteria that may play a role in brain function, handling stress along with promoting gut health , Klamer explains. Plain yogurt is lower in sugar and can be sweetened with honey, fruit or jam. Almonds

Almonds contain a large amount of vitamin E, which prevents anxiety disorders. Almonds also contain zinc, which is a key nutrient in maintaining a balanced mood, Dr. Schiff states. Almonds also have iron, which is important since low iron levels are known to cause brain fatigue, which can contribute to anxiety. Turmeric and ginger

Turmeric contains curcumin which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that may reduce anxiety, Dr. Catherine Jackson , licensed psychologist and certified neurotherapist at Optimal Neuroholistic Services, explains. While ginger on the other hand helps boost brain health, it has antioxidants that reduces inflammation and protects the brain against damage to the brain caused by oxidative stress.

Related: New to Turmeric? Give These 17 Anti-Inflammatory Recipes a Try for a Healthier You Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids

These include sardines, salmon or tuna. These acids help with depression and anxiety because they ease inflammation, and have a strong relationship with cognitive function and mental health, says Dr. Schiff. Omega-3 fatty acids also regulate neurotransmitters, so when you are feeling tense or stressed, they help keep cortisol and adrenaline from spiking; thereby reducing anxiety. Tea

Relaxing teas, specifically green tea , chamomile and moringa have been found to be beneficial in reducing stress and decreasing anxiety while also boosting energy. Their antioxidant content, which reduces free radicals, and their inflammation reducing properties also make them ideal for consumption to reduce anxiety, Dr. Jackson states. Furthermore, green tea has L-theanine and other antioxidant properties that increase GABA, dopamine and serotonin in the brain, reduce inflammation and the impact of anxiety.

Green tea often as a replacement for coffee, as it is a dietary source of L-theanine, Taylor Osbaldeston , Registered Holistic Nutritionist, explains. L-theanine is an amino acid that promotes relaxation without decreasing alertness. So, it is helpful when you need support reducing the effects of stress and anxiety but still need to be productive.

Dr. Carrie Lam, MD, FAAMFM, ABAARM , recommends chamomile tea. “This is an herbal home remedy that has been used for centuries due to its calming effect,” Dr. Lam says. “Studies suggest chamomile tea to be effective in reducing anxiety. Two to three cups of this tea may […]

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