Healthy diet for anxiety sufferer?

FlaxMilk

I'm sorry your doctor wouldn't discuss other options. If you can't find relief, sounds like it would be worthwhile to take a trip out of town to seek a second opinion? If your doctor wouldn't even discuss other options other than Effexor (even in the medication realm, there are other options besides Effexor), then she doesn't sound like she will have the open mind you need.

Ovega-3 is a great supplement, derived from algae, which is where fish get their Omega-3 fats (I am pretty sure.) You can get it for $19.99 on drugstore.com. (I'm not sure if anywhere else has it cheaper but in stores it retails for up to $30.)

Asces

I am moving back to the city in the summer, so I will have better access to everything I need thankfully!

How many omega vitamins do you take?

I am seeing that people who have anxiety/agoraphobia tend to have low potassium and magnesium. Thanks to MFP I know I never eat enough potassium.

The worst time for my anxiety is about a week before my period up to about day. 2 or 3 of it.

FlaxMilk

When I feel my best I take 2-3 a day, spread throughout the day.

I also have a cup of low sodium V-8 to boost my potassium--26% DV.

I'm glad you'll have a different doctor to talk to about this soon! Have you tried looking up pregnancy induced anxiety?

Jennwith2ns

Thanks for posting this topic! I am just getting back to MFP because I noticed my anxiety and panic attacks have increased since going off my healthy eating and exercising. I added you, hope you don't mind!

HealthyBodySickMind

In addition to the other good advice I've seen here (exercise, plenty of sleep, and proper hydration), regular massage therapy could help. Also there are herbs that can be helpful: St. John's wort, chamomile, valerian root, Passiflora incarnata, and kava. Certain amino acids, like L-theanine and tryptophan can help. Many foods are naturally higher in tryptophan.

zaithyr

I suffer from fairly bad anxiety. I was just wondering if anyone else does and what diet changes they have made?

I know that anxiety can be treated with diet and exercise, this has been proven in countries where they don't treat with medication yet still have huge success rates at treating anxiety. They treat with monitored diet and exercise.

So I was hoping someone on here might know of a typical diet to follow when treating anxiety?

I know to cut out caffeine, sugar, and refined food. I am having a hard time with this as I am quite addicted to sugar. But I am working on it. I have cut my coffee down to 1/2 a cup every 2 or 3 days but chocolate is my weakness

I read that you should add cheese to your diet, but any time I eat large amounts of dairy I notice my anxiety goes up.

Any vitamin regimen that anyone with anxiety follows? I take a daily multivitamin but am wondering if I should be doing something else.

I want medication to be my last option!

I typically avoid caffeine when I can but other than that I haven't made anxiety-specific diet changes yet. I am taking lots of vitamin D though (turns out I have a deficiency- which can cause anxiety issues, that along with iron), and also B6, vitamin C and iron. I've noticed some difference since I've started

HealthyBodySickMind

Probably the best thing I've ever done for myself regarding anxiety relief is get a dog.

HealthFreak1967

YES i have horrible, crippling anxiety.
I've made changes in my diet and fitness routines and have noticed a MASSIVE improvement.

You'e right about cutting out all sugar, caffeine, and as much refined, processed foods as possible. To still add sweetness to your food without the horrible white sugar, use Stevia packets, they're like splenda except it's natural and contains no artificial chemicals.

And I also suggest getting exercise at least 3x per week, mostly cardio. Try to work up a sweat so that the cortisol levels (a stress/anxiety produced hormone) in your body lowers- the more often and intensely you exercise, the better your body will become at dealing w/ anxiety - thus helping you to relax and be less anxious

And B-complex vitamins play a role in helping you relax and having a better mood and sense of well-being. Bananas and avocados are great sources, and also nutritional yeast flakes (sprinkled on veggies or tofu..etc. to give you flavor AND nutrition :P). Basically just eat a wide variety of fruits, veggies, beans and you'll definitely see a difference, trust me!!!!!


good luck mate

edit: oh and i forgot, for days when you are really really anxious, kava tea (only use it sparingly b/c too much messes up your liver) and chamomile tea work WONDERS!!!!!!!!

HealthFreak1967

I suffer from fairly bad anxiety. I was just wondering if anyone else does and what diet changes they have made?

I know that anxiety can be treated with diet and exercise, this has been proven in countries where they don't treat with medication yet still have huge success rates at treating anxiety. They treat with monitored diet and exercise.

So I was hoping someone on here might know of a typical diet to follow when treating anxiety?

I know to cut out caffeine, sugar, and refined food. I am having a hard time with this as I am quite addicted to sugar. But I am working on it. I have cut my coffee down to 1/2 a cup every 2 or 3 days but chocolate is my weakness

I read that you should add cheese to your diet, but any time I eat large amounts of dairy I notice my anxiety goes up.

Any vitamin regimen that anyone with anxiety follows? I take a daily multivitamin but am wondering if I should be doing something else.

I want medication to be my last option!

I typically avoid caffeine when I can but other than that I haven't made anxiety-specific diet changes yet. I am taking lots of vitamin D though (turns out I have a deficiency- which can cause anxiety issues, that along with iron), and also B6, vitamin C and iron. I've noticed some difference since I've started

Oh my gosh I have vitamin D and iron deficiency as well, I had no clue they were correlated w/ anxiety. Good thing i'm taking supplements now, but I need to get more vitamin D tablets

zaithyr

Maybe some fish oil. I've been taking a tsp a day for several weeks now and it seems to have effected my mood for the better.

Also, this is going to sound negative... as much as there is all this talk about exercise helping with anxiety, I've been exercising for a couple of years now and I don't know that it's helped at all. I think my level of anxiety is about the same as always, though there is a nice calm period after working out.

There are many different causes behind anxiety issues so I would agree that diet and exercise isn't necessarily a cure-all for everyone with anxiety issues. I think part of mine are physical but I've also had to go through counseling because I have issues from things I've been through in the past

And for those of you on meds- I wouldn't stop them cold turkey without talking to a doctor because that can have bad effects as well. Just a thought! (I'm on a low dose of meds myself)

blv0267

bump

FlaxMilk

Be very careful with any herbs--do your research, ask your doctor, make sure they don't counteract with any meds you do take and look up their health risks. Some countries make herbs such as St Johns Wort available through prescription only. If you do decide to take them, buy them through a reputable source.