Written by Meagan Drillinger
August 7, 2019
Roughly 40 million Americans suffer from an anxiety disorder. And nearly all of us have felt anxiety as a natural response to certain situations.
If you live with chronic stress or anxiety, you might spend much of your daily life managing it with tools like therapy, mindfulness, exercise, and anti-anxiety medication.
But did you know that anxiety can be triggered by certain foods we put in our bodies?
This isn’t to say that these tools and approaches aren’t necessary for tackling anxiety — they are often healthy options for any person’s lifestyle. But if anxiety is still impacting your life, it might be worth it to a glance down at your plate.
Read on for five foods that trigger anxiety and suggestions for what to eat instead.
1. Alcohol
Believe it or not, that beverage you’re drinking to quell your social anxiety is actually making it worse.
“Although it may seem like it calms your nerves, alcohol can have a negative impact on hydration and sleep, both of which can trigger anxiety symptoms when suppressed,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, author of “Belly Fat for Dummies.”
Alcohol changes levels of serotonin and the neurotransmitters in the brain, which makes anxiety worse. And when the alcohol wears off, you may feel even more anxious.
Drinking in moderation — or about two servings of alcohol a day — is typically safe, as long as your doctor gives you the okay.
