What we munch away on can have a profound effect on our mood - from pizza and caffeine-laden drinks making us feel awful to oily fish and pumpkin seeds providing the perfect pick-me-up
Anxiety is an extremely common problem affecting millions of us, with symptoms varying from person to person and some affected more than others.
As such, dieticians have helpfully narrow down the food and drinks to avoid - and which to savour - to help you back onto the path of calm. Processed food Had a bad day at work so treated yourself to a salt-laden takeaway? Who hasn't done that? “Studies have shown that eating a more traditional and less processed diet, like the Mediterranean diet or traditional Japanese diet, reduces the risk of developing both depression and anxiety by 25-35 per cent, whereas diets high in saturated fats and refined carbs can increase depressive and anxiety symptoms by as much as 70 per cent". Something to bear in mind next time you reach for that sausage roll.
In short, munching down on complex carbs is believed to give you a more sustained and stable release of serotonin, helping to keep you feeling stable. Vitamin D is added to some foods too, including breakfast cereals, plant milks and fat spreads. Oily fish are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation in the body and boost brain health. The brain releases the stress hormone cortisol when we're anxious.
“Around 90 to 95 per cent of our serotonin is made in the gut, and this neurotransmitter plays an important role in mood regulation,” she explained.Long been a buzzword as a 'healthy alternative', the fabled green tea can have a calming effect through an amino acid called L-theanine, which reduces levels of cortisol.
Vitamins - what they do and which foods they are in A : Supports vision, skin, bone and tooth growth, immunity and reproduction. Found in: Mango, carrots, butternut squash, pumpkin, broccoli and beef liver.
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