Foods to ease anxiety (which are not salmon and avocado)

Image: Wix

Don’t get me wrong, I like avocado+salmon toast. It is just not for everyone.

Do you know this boring list of “foods for mental health” which usually includes dark chocolate, legumes, oranges, eggs, nuts and, of course, fatty fish. Feeling stressed? Eat poached egg toast with avocado paste and rucola salad. Add some nuts and don’t even think about coffee! Sounds familiar, right? Honestly, those kind of “healthy tips” make me even more anxious. Because, the moment we look at the meal will initiate emotional response and may bring back memories associated with the food in front of us. At that same moment our brain doesn’t give a damn whether the thing we see reduces anxiety or not. Biological part will turn on later. When food enters the mouth and passes through the digestive system, it sends a multitude of interacting signals to the brain bringing sensory and nutritive information. There is a part of the brain that lights up when we see food. That part is called “ventral food component,” and is located in a brain region known to play a role in identifying faces, scenes, and words.

So what is the food that helps with anxiety? Your mom’s special meal, favourite breakfast, travel snack - whatever brings you positive emotions counts!

Blueberries, seafood, grains, seeds among other “brain foods” offer plenty of benefits for mental and physical health. Try to include them in your eating routine as much as possible. Although, don’t be too harsh on yourself: preparing (and eating) those kind of meals when you’re feeling down might consume more energy than you can get. Let your brain decide what is best for it and leave trends behind.