SERIOUSLY, EATING CLEAN HELPED WITH MY ANXIETY
When I was a small child my grandmother had a garden. I remember my great grandmother going to that garden and picking vegetables but strangely, I don’t remember eating them and my grandmother moved to another home and no longer had a garden.
To say that I grew up on processed foods would be accurate. My mother worked multiple jobs and processed foods were our quick meals. She has 3 children to feed so eating potatoes from a box, Ramen Noodles, green beans from the can, etc was what worked. And I am so proud of my mom for doing all she could to raise, clothe and feed her children. She is forever the G.O.A.T.
I did not eat a lot of vegetables and it was not until my mid twenties that I liked salads. The delicious chef salads my grandmother used to make.
And when I got older I used that same tactic of processed foods until I had my son and tried (with little knowledge) to incorporate fresh vegetables and fruits in his life but still… NEVER in mine.
I DEVELOPED EXTREME ANXIETY
I was diagnosed with anxiety and I worked for years with a therapist that was so helpful but it was not until COVID that I started to take my health seriously. I wanted to learn everything there is about keeping your immune system up and it was my sign to live the healthy life that I have always wanted to live.
I learned about Ayurvedic Health. That was so beneficial to me. I did 4 rounds of the Whole30 Program and I continued on my journey with having a close friend educate me about food.
I am going to also include below a wonderful article from Harvard Health Blog regarding anxiety and eating clean.
People who suffer with anxiety should remember a few simple rules:
Low blood sugar, poor hydration, use of alcohol, caffeine, and smoking can also precipitate or mimic symptoms of anxiety.
Eating regular meals and preventing hypoglycemic states are therefore important.
Adequately hydrating with plain water is best, at least six to eight glasses a day.
While nicotine does not cause anxiety, withdrawal from nicotine can mimic anxiety, and people with anxiety may smoke to soothe themselves. It may become a problematic behavior, as nicotine can also raise blood pressure and heart rate, which are also symptoms of anxiety.
People who feel anxiety may lean on alcohol to calm their nerves, but excessive drinking can lead to its own set of emotional and physical problems.
Many sodas contain caffeine and have a high sugar content. Being aware of these factors and substituting plain water or sparking water for soda can be a healthier option.
Working toward a well-balanced diet with adequate fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats remains a good recommendation for those who struggle with anxiety. Avoiding processed foods and foods high in sugar means the body experiences fewer highs and lows of blood sugar, which helps to further reduce feelings of anxiety. Very simply put, a sugar rush can mimic a panic attack.
For example, eating a frozen dinner and ice cream will affect you differently than eating chicken and broccoli with a pasta made from whole grains or quinoa. The second meal includes whole, unprocessed foods, and you control the amount of sugar, if any, added to the meal. It takes longer for your body to metabolize these foods, which helps you feel fuller for longer and keeps blood sugar levels steady, rather than yo-yoing up and down.
DOES SUGAR INCREASE ANXIETY SYMPTOMS?
Yes! And there are many hidden sugars in the foods we eat, including savory foods. Many people don’t realize this. One example is a popular store-bought tomato basil sauce. One half-cup serving (and very few people would eat just half a cup at a meal) contains 12 grams of sugar, which is 3 teaspoons (4 grams sugar = 1 teaspoon). Food labels in the US use grams, and many people do not really know how to interpret these. Recipes use ounces, pounds, teaspoons, and tablespoons, so this conversion becomes important for the consumer. So, if you used 1-1/2 cups of the pasta sauce, you would be consuming 36 grams or 9 teaspoons of sugar just from the sauce in your meal!
While your body needs a healthy balance of sugar, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to function, it is also that very balance that helps keep us healthy. Consuming sugar through natural sources such as a piece of fruit, and not fruit juice or dried fruit, affects your body differently than candy or hidden sugars in your foods.
