When you feel anxious, pay attention to what you do next. Are you reaching for a sweet or salty treat? If so, you aren’t alone. Eating is the primary method Americans use to decrease anxiety. When we’re anxious, reaching for food is as natural ““ and often unconscious ““ as breathing.
But, that soothing feeling doesn’t last long. Typically, noshing ends up increasing our frustration because our choices wreak havoc with our blood sugar, which negatively affects our mood and energy level, and still leaves us feeling anxious.
Rather than reaching for what will only make you feel worse, try eliminating or reducing these foods that will increase anxiety and adding foods that will actually decrease anxiety:
- Eliminate: aspartame, caffeine, meat with hormones, nicotine, preservatives
- Reduce: alcohol, desserts, processed foods
- Add: Calcium, vitamin B, vitamin C
When you need to cheat
Sometimes you can’t avoid anxious eating. It’s okay. Just make sure to keep healthier options on hand to satisfy your snacking needs:
Crunchy food cravings
- Apples
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Popcorn ““ air popped, lightly salted, unbuttered
- Unsalted almonds or walnuts:
Sweet treats
- Almond butter ““ one tablespoon on a fruit or vegetable
- Dark chocolate: 70% or higher cocoa content
- Dried raisins or cranberries
- Fresh or frozen blueberries
- Low-fat yogurt
- Natural peanut butter ““ one tablespoon on a fruit or vegetable
- Oranges ““ not orange juice
Before you sit down to snack, take a deep breath and brisk walk ““ you’ll feel better in no time!
