6. Foods to Limit: Coffee and Caffeinated Drinks
Some people drink coffee and other beverages that contain caffeine (such as tea and cola) to help boost their energy levels, but these should be limited or avoided if you want to tamp down anxiety, says Ortiz.
When serotonin levels are suppressed, you may feel more anxious.
Remember that it’s important to sleep well to help keep anxiety and mood symptoms at bay.
7. Foods to Limit: Candy, Sweets, and Added Sugars
Of course, many people like sweets. And sweets, including those containing table sugar, honey, and corn syrup, can make us feel better — but again, it’s only a temporary lift.
8. Foods to Limit: Alcohol
If you do drink, drink in moderation. “If you have a 6-ounce glass of wine at dinner, it’s probably fine,” Villacorta says. “But you don’t want to be a heavy drinker, finishing off a few bottles with your meal.”
9. Foods to Limit: Hot Dogs and Other Processed Foods
It’s best for your mental health to limit or skip the processed foods, says Villacorta.
Instead of reaching for a highly processed snack or meal, replace these options with healthier ones, says Ortiz.
“A good rule of thumb is to imagine filling your plate with 50 percent vegetables and fruits, 25 percent complex carbohydrates (brown rice, quinoa, whole-grain bread), and 25 percent lean protein (chicken breast, fish, salmon) to reduce inflammation, improve brain health, and foster neurotransmitter production,” he says.
