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Avoid These Foods If You Have Anxiety Or Depression!

Isn’t it a common practice to have something special for dinner or lunch when you have a reason to celebrate? Similarly, it is not unusual for many people to skip a meal or overeat when feeling low or angry. When we are feeling down or happy, we make certain food choices. Our moods affect what we eat. Similarly, what we eat has the power to make a difference in our moods. The effect is more apparent in those who suffer from anxiety or depression as they are more susceptible to mood changes. This also means that making the right food choices can alter our moods to our advantage. Our gut is also known as the second brain and what goes in the gut significantly impacts our mental and emotional wellbeing. Here are some foods to avoid for people susceptible to anxiety or depression.

1. Excessive Sugar

This one is a no-brainer. Sugar increases the glucose levels in the blood leading to a general sense of well-being and happiness. As the glucose levels drop, the person feels low and irritable. Also, sugar has a negative effect on neurons and synapses in the brain. Excessive sugar intake must be avoided.

2. Artificial Sweeteners

Aspartame is an important constituent of all artificial sweeteners. It is also part of colas and diet sodas. Excessive consumption of Aspartame can cause headaches, mood changes and sleep disturbances.

3. Fruit Juices

Drinking juices does not mean you have imbibed the positive benefits of the fruit. Juices are bereft of fibre and may cause a spike in blood sugar levels. For best results, consume whole fruit instead of juice. Packaged juices and beverages are a strict no-no. This can leave you feeling fatigued and depleted apart from causing increased mood changes.

4. Processed and Deep Fried Food

Not only is processed food rich in Trans fats and generally quite harmful for your heart and your health, but it may also increase anxiety and symptoms of depression. Processed and deep-fried food also has a high amount of sodium which tends to cause disruptions in the neurological system. So eat the foods that fight fatigue.

From my knowledge, toast is made of white bread and on digestion, it is converted to blood sugar. Hence, it may result in energy peaks and dips that are detrimental to anxiety and depression. I recommend consuming whole wheat bread in place of white bread.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Also Read: How to Reduce Anxiety Immediately: Quick and Effective Techniques

5. Alcohol

Alcohol is harmful to your health in multiple ways. Excessive drinking can impact your mood, speech, balance and more. In the long term, alcohol has been shown to affect memory, cognition, balance and mood. People with depression and anxiety must speak to their doctor about assistance quitting alcohol.

6. Caffeine

Those who suffer from depression and anxiety might want to ditch their regular cuppa. Caffeine is a stimulant that disturbs the sleep cycle and causes an energy surge. It also reduces the absorption of important mood-balancing vitamins. The caffeine in energy drinks is equivalent to about 10 cans of soda, so you might want to avoid that too. Choose your drink wisely, moderation is the key.

Also Read: Essential Oils for Anxiety: A Research-Based Holistic Approach

In my opinion, doughnuts should be avoided in case one is prone to or suffering from depression or anxiety. Researchers say that doughnuts contain a lot of added sugar, unhealthy fats, and refined flour with bare minimum fibre that may limit absorption, keeping the body deprived and eventually reducing the coping ability of the body against mental illness.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

The best thing would be to identify the foods that trigger depression and anxiety or increase the two for you. Avoid them at all costs to feel better about your life. Healthy eating habits of fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals and whole grains, nuts and seeds, curd and buttermilk when taken adequately, can help improve your gut health and may aid in balancing mood-related problems.

Read More: Types of Bipolar Disorder You Need To Know About

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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Food for Dengue – What To Eat And What To Avoid!

Come monsoon and the scare of dengue hits one and all! With the number of lives affected by the deadly malady, the causes, and symptoms that these mosquito-borne disease shows are not unknown to many.

Once bitten by the fatal Aedes mosquito, the symptoms of high fever, headache, rashes, coupled with joint and muscle pain started to show up within 3 or more days, and from there the condition only worsens.

However, there are many ways and means to fight the dengue virus. First and foremost, it’s vital to boost the patient’s immunity. This can be done by giving him/her food items that are loaded with essential nutrients and vitamins that ensure a speedy recovery.

Here’s a list of a few of them:

Papaya Leaves

Many researchers have found that papaya leaves play a crucial role in fighting this dangerous disease. They help to elevate the platelet counts which fall to dangerously low levels in a dengue patient. Typically, it is advised to consume these leaves in the juice form.

A healthy drink to fight dengue

  1. Take  ½ papaya, medium in size and chop it into small pieces
  2. Next transfer the freshly cut pieces to a bowl
  3. Now add to this,  ½ a cup of orange juice, and two to three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
  4. Next, add a tablespoon of honey and sprinkle some black pepper powder and salt to taste
  5. Transfer the contents to a blender, add a little water, and blend to a smooth juice
  6. Consume fresh

According to some research, drinking Barley infused water might be beneficial for dengue fever as it has antipyretic effects. As with all other herbal ingredients, its consumption should be moderate and monitored by a qualified specialist.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD

Mix of herbs

Many health practitioners recommend regular consumption of Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Ginger, Giloy (an Ayurvedic herb), and Aloe Vera to control the spread of the disease. Many doctors also advise to up the intake of amla, as it is rich in Vitamin C.

Pomegranates

Loaded with essential minerals and nutrients, this wonder fruit gives the body an immense rush of energy. Thus, it plays a crucial role in reducing fatigue and tiredness that a typical dengue patient experiences. Since these bright red seeds are also a rich source of iron, they aid in maintaining an average blood platelet count.

Coconut Water

Dengue generally results in dehydration. Thus, it is immensely beneficial to consume coconut water – which is loaded with electrolytes and vital nutrients. In many cases, ginger water is also suggested, since it helps to combat nausea that many dengue patients experience.

Turmeric

Being an antiseptic and metabolism booster, many doctors also recommend the consumption of turmeric with milk. This helps in faster recovery. Read more about the health benefits of turmeric.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek or methi is known to induce sleep and acts as a mild tranquillizer that aids in easing pain. It is also known to stabilizing the high fever that is a common dengue symptom.

Orange

A rich mix of antioxidants and Vitamin C, orange and its juice also helps in treating and eliminating the dengue virus.

A word of caution – The dengue fever can rise rapidly after the onset of the initial symptoms. Thus, it is vital that one seeks medical help as soon as these symptoms are observed. The above-mentioned remedies should be adopted as only supplemental forms of treatment.

Also Read: 10 Home Remedies for Dengue

And what to avoid

The path to recovery after a dengue attack is not going to be very easy. While there are no specific dietary restrictions, you can make matters easy by adhering to a diet that is less oily and spicy at least for a few days. Also, make it a point to consume food items that are easy to digest.

When suffering from Dengue, you must consume plenty of fruits and vegetables. It is recommended to eat fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins C and K. Vitamin C-rich foods can provide strength and an immunity boost. Similarly, vitamin K can be beneficial for better blood clotting and improving reduced platelet count. However, you should avoid consuming foods which are chocolate based, spicy, fatty, etc.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Here are some of the food items you should avoid if you are suffering from Dengue:

Non-Vegetarian food

Non-vegetarian food is a strict ”No”. Up your fluid intake and consume warm water instead of normal water.

 Oily and Fried food

It is best to choose a lighter diet and avoid oily and fried food. It contains a lot of fat which may lead to higher blood pressure. This can hamper your recovery as it weakens the immune system.

Spicy food

This is a big no to all who are recovering from dengue. It leads to acid collecting in the stomach which in turn leads to ulcers. It hampers the recovering process as your body ends up fighting double the illnesses at the same time.

Caffeinated beverages

Your body needs a lot of liquid during this time, but that does not mean caffeinated beverages. These drinks cause fatigue, increase heart beat, and overall not good for you especially when you are suffering from an illness. Be sure to consume glasses of warm water instead of normal water.

Also Read: “Do Honey Make You Last Longer in Bed? Unpacking Bedroom Myths”

General tips to avoid Dengue

Here are some quite general tips as to how you can prevent the disease from being a reality in your life:

Also Read: 5 Effective Preventive Measure for Dengue

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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