If You Find Yourself Feeling Anxious, Take a Look at Your Diet

If you are jittery or anxious during the day, medical experts say it could be due to the type of foods you are eating or drinking. Dr. Uma Naidoo, a nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef, nutrition specialist and author of “This Is Your Brain on Food, says, eating certain foods can create a feeling of internal panic for some people but they may not “realize it’s related to the food they’ve consumed.”

One such food is anything high in sugar as it produces blood sugar spikes that drop way quicker than more balanced foods containing protein, carbs and fat. Maggie Michalczyk, a registered dietitian based in Chicago, explains, "This spike and drop can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and feel almost like a panic attack for some."

Some of the worst foods for sugar spikes are cakes, candy, sugary drinks as well as food high in caffeine like coffee, tea, and energy drinks. Other foods not so obvious are consuming fruits and vegetables without balancing them with protein; drinking alcohol; or foods loaded with gluten, artificial sweeteners and hidden sugars.

To help reduce anxiety and those jittery feelings, doctors suggest eating foods high in fiber, which break down much slower and help moderate insulin spikes. Other suggestions include: fermented foods such as kombucha, miso, tempeh and pickled vegetables or spices like turmeric with a pinch of black pepper. Try a soothing blend of herbal teas to help calm and relax the body; and include foods with vitamin D and B into your diet as both help to lower anxiety.

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