Food is literally cellular information

I cannot stress this enough.

As someone who has suffered (and still does to a certain extent) from a chronic illness, it pains me to see how poorly people eat, because I know it’s going to end up causing them some sort of disease or health problem down the road.

You may not feel it now, but it will hit you later in life, which is why I am someone who emphasizes the importance of PREVENTION.

It is much easier to prevent a disease than heal from it once you get it. 

Since we know that the foods we consume have a direct impact on our minds and bodies, it is especially important to watch our diets if we tend to struggle with depression or anxiety.

The close connection between diet and emotions stems from the close relationship between your brain and your gastrointestinal tract, often called the “second brain.”

 

Here Are Some Foods Likely Contributing to Your Anxiety and Depression:

 

1. Soda (& Diet Soda!)

Soda is directly correlated with a higher risk of depression. People who drank more than 4 cans or cups of soda per day were 30% more likely to develop depression than those who drank no soda.

If you are craving soda, try seltzer water with a splash of juice instead.

 

2. Processed Foods + Refined Carbs

Studies have found that the consumption of refined carbs is related to both anxiety and depression.

Refined carbs + sugars cause energy spikes and crashes which can be very bad for those who struggle with anxiety and depression. There is a direct correlation between unstable blood sugar and depression and anxiety. You want to make sure your blood sugar is stable.

Refined sugars and refined grains are the two main types of refined carbs. Refined grains have been milled to remove the fibrous parts, such as the bran and germ, which also removes many of the nutrients. Three common examples of refined carbs are:

  • white flour
  • white rice
  • white bread

Refined sugars come are derived from plants such as sugar cane, sugar beets, and the agave succulent. Unfortunately, they are not as “natural” as they sound. These sugars have been processed to extract their sugar. These refined sugars are different from the natural sugars that are found in fruit and dairy products. Common refined sugars include:

  • high fructose corn syrup
  • sucrose (table sugar)
  • agave syrup

Refined carbs are found in many modern foods, including: 

  • white bread
  • white rice
  • pastries
  • sodas
  • pasta
  • cereal
  • processed snacks and meals

Instead of consuming processed and refined carbs, you can try healthier alternatives that will keep your blood sugar regulated and stable.

 

3. Fruit Juice

Studies have found that those who drank four cans of fruit punch per day were about 38% more likely to develop depression than those who did not drink sweetened drinks. The spike in blood sugar caused by energy spikes and crashes is very harmful for those who struggle with anxiety and depression.

Eating whole fruit is so much better for you than drinking fruit juice. The fiber in whole fruit fills you up and slows down how your blood takes in energy. Without that fiber, you’re just drinking nutritious sugar water that can quickly hype you up — and bring you down just as fast.

 

4. Food Additives

Unfortunately, most (processed) foods contain toxic and harmful additives and should be avoided if you struggle with anxiety or depression. Food additives such as aspartame, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and some food dyes, have been linked to anxiety, depression, and mood changes.

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in many different foods, including sugar-free candies, chewing gum, and soft drinks, and studies have linked it to several health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.

Regular consumption of MSG has been linked to fatigue, headaches, depression, and anxiety. MSG is commonly found in Chinese food and is used to enhance the taste of many snacks, processed foods, and pre-cooked ready-made meals.

 

5. Caffeine

Interestingly enough, this one can go either way. Caffeine can cause anxiety for many people, however, some studies have found that people who drank 4 cups of coffee per day were about 10% less likely to develop depression than those who drank no coffee.

Caffeine can be found in a range of products, including coffee, tea, energy drinks, chocolate, and some painkillers. Many people can tolerate small amounts of caffeine, but because caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, excessive intake can lead to heart palpitations, shaking, irritability, and insomnia.

Caffeine can also inhibit the absorption of some vitamins, including B vitamins, which are needed to aid relaxation and control mood. In addition, some people are more sensitive than others to the effects of caffeine, so even small amounts can cause headaches, shaking, and anxiety.

As always, listen to your body to determine what works best for you. 

 

6. Alcohol

Alcohol changes levels of serotonin and neurotransmitters in the brain, which makes anxiety worse.

Regular, heavy drinking interferes with chemicals in the brain that are vital for good mental health. While we might feel relaxed after a drink, in the long run, alcohol has a negative impact on mental health and can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety, and make stress harder to deal with. Once the alcohol wears off, you might feel even more anxious.

The brain relies on a delicate balance of chemicals and processes. Alcohol is a depressant, which means it can disrupt that balance, affecting our thoughts, feelings, and actions – and sometimes our long-term mental health.

 

7. Vegetable Oils

Besides the fact that vegetable oils are extremely harmful to your health and have been linked to cancer, vegetable oils are likely to contribute to one feeling depressed or anxious.

There are good fats and there are bad fats. It’s easiest to remember that almost all the foods that come straight from nature contain the good fats we need.

The “bad fats” are mostly human-made and commonly found in processed foods, fried foods, snacks, and pastries.

The “good fats” are typically found in nuts, avocados, olives, salmon, and egg yolks.

So ditch the processed vegetable oils, and switch to healthier alternatives such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or animal fats.

 

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Elena Patestas is a journalist and writer for Valuetainment media. She attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and Adelphi University on Long Island, New York. She was born and raised in Roslyn, New York, and currently lives in Miami, Florida.

Elena is passionate about bringing positive change to our world and believes education is the root to solving many societal problems. After overcoming a chronic health condition, Elena became passionate about health and believes food is the key to preventing dis-ease and achieving optimum health.

Amongst her many goals, she hopes to bring positive, impactful change to our world to create a healthy, financially sound, and unified society.

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