• Schedule a FREE Consultation Cool Tools and Resources

    395 Taylor Blvd, Suite 220 | Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
    925-322-1681 | katherine@timetothrivetherapy.com

  • Time to Thrive Therapy

    • Home
    • About Me
    • Services
      • Counseling
        • Counseling for Depression
        • Counseling for Anxiety
        • Counseling for Women
        • Counseling for Teens
        • Counseling for Couples
      • Groups
        • Women’s Divorce Support Circle
        • Teen Life Support Group
        • Kick-Butt Strategies for Handling Life for Teen Young Women
        • Support and Education Group for MFT and LPC Trainees
      • EMDR
      • Neurofeedback
    • Getting Started
      • Fees and Insurance
      • New Client Documents-Adult
      • New Client Documents-Child/Teen
      • New Client Documents for Couples
    • Tools and Resources
      • Tools
      • Resources
      • Videos
    • The Comfy Couch Blog
    • Client Login
    • Contact Me

    5 Foods & Beverages That Can Cause More Anxiety

    May 27, 2017

    Most people know that a healthy diet is important in managing weight and aging well. But what many people don’t realize is that the foods we eat can significantly alter our mood.

    While eating foods rich in protein, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can help fight depression and other mood disorders, eating the wrong kinds of food can cause depression and anxiety and even worsen symptoms.

    If you have panic attacks or suffer from a mood disorder, it’s important that you can identify which foods may trigger or exacerbate symptoms. As a general rule, the following 5 foods should be avoided if you suffer from anxiety.

    1. Coffee

    Have you ever had one too many cups of coffee and a little while later had the jitters? Coffee can worsen existing anxiety and even cause it in people who don’t normally suffer from it. Caffeine increases cortisol levels (one of our “fight or flight” hormones), which in turn makes you feel stressed even when there is no external stressor.

    According to research, lower intakes of coffee (less than 6 cups per day) has been linked to less depressive symptoms.

    2. Alcohol

    It has been said that one or two glasses a day of alcohol such as wine is good for your heart. While this may be true for those that don’t suffer from anxiety, those that do should steer clear of alcohol. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has stated that alcohol may worsen mood and contribute to anxiety.

    3. Sugar

    Often people reach for sugary foods like cookies and candy when dealing with a mood disorder. While it may seem these sweat treats are soothing in the moment, sugar actually makes your negatively feelings worse. A diet high in sugar causes spikes and drops in blood sugar levels, which can wreak havoc on your moods and cause you to have panic attacks. Though delicious, avoid sugary foods as much as possible.

    4. Trans Fat

    It turns out trans fats found in foods like French fries and packaged snacks are not only bad for your health but for your mood as well. In fact, studies have found that foods containing trans fats, also called hydrogenated fats, can increase your risk of depression.

    A study, published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, examined the brains of rats and found that prolonged consumption of trans fat led to more anxiety-like symptoms.

    5. Gluten

    You don’t have to have Celiac’s Disease to be bothered by gluten. Many people don’t realize they have an intolerance to gluten that often shows up in the form of anxiety and panic attacks. A study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine found that those with gluten sensitivities are more prone to feeling anxious after eating wheat.

    While cleaning up your diet can help you deal with your anxiety, sometimes diet alone is not enough. Therapy can help you to identify the root cause of your anxiety and cope with it.

    If you or a loved one is interested in exploring treatment, please contact me today. I would be happy to speak with you about how I may be able to help.

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

    Related

    Filed Under: Anxiety

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ENTER YOUR EMAIL HERE, AND I'LL SEND YOU PERIODIC TIPS, INFORMATION, AND REALLY COOL TOOLS.
    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.

    Recent Blogs

    Benefits of Therapy Dogs

    Types of Anxiety Disorders

    What is Gender Dysphoria?

    Recent Videos

    The Teenage Brain

    I Have OCD

    What is Anxiety?

    Katherine Jewett, MA LMFT #83521
    395 Taylor Blvd, Suite 220
    Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

    925-322-1681
    katherine@timetothrivetherapy.com

    Katherine Jewett
    katherine@timetothrivetherapy.com | 925-322-1681

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy