You already know that your emotions can influence what you eat.
But what you may not realize is that what you eat can also dramatically alter your mental health.
Seriously: some foods worsen anxiety and depression.
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Simplefood choicescan make the difference between feeling worse and feeling more stable, says research fromHarvard Health.
Want to know what foods to steer clear from?
Get our list of30 Sugariest Foods in America.
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This can cause all manner of neuro maladies including headaches, insomnia, changes in moodand yes, depression.
But it’s not just aspartame: NutraSweet or Equal may also be bad for your mental well-being.
Read Happens to Your Body When You Eat Artificial Sweeteners.
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Alcohol
Your central nervous system is important, to put it lightly.
Oh, and the central nervous system controls how we process emotions, too.
Bottom line: Booze is a little too efficient at exacerbating symptoms associated with depression.
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Hydrogenated Oil
Fried chicken, fried cheese sticks, fried calamari,French fries.
You won’t ever see these items marked as an “Eat This.”
They cause trouble for your body for a variety of reasons and can negatively affect your weight.
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But there’s more: They’re also linked to depression.
See, deep frying is usually done in partially hydrogenated oil.
Anything that is cooked with hydrogenated oils and contains trans fats could potentially contribute to depression.
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Fast Food
Cheap and easy?
In the short term, kinda sorta.
Need more reason to quit?
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Learn Things That Happen to Your Body When You Eat Fast Food.
An over-taxed body is a way to invite disruption to your emotional state.
And, of course, an excess of salt also leads to fluid retention andbloating.
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Get our list of25 Foods High in Sodium You Should Watch Out Forand35 Saltiest Restaurant Meals on the Planet.
The reason most experts cite is caffeine’s disruptive effect on sleep.
Coffee and black tea make it more difficult to fall asleep and to stay asleep.
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Sleep is connected to mood and disturbed sleep can seriously mess with your mental state.
Some types have the caffeine equivalent of 14 cans of soda.
They’re high in sodium and sugar, and pave the way for an inflammatory response in the body.
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We can only partially digest gluten, which can lead to gut irritation and immune and allergic reactions.
This anti-nutrient binds to important mood minerals like zinc and limits their absorption.
Tofu
Soy is like that date who demands affection while refusing PDA and cuddling.
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(Terrific for social anxiety…Just kidding.)
If you’re vegan or vegetarian, learnHow to Eat More Plant Protein If You Hate Tofu.
Coffee
That’ll be a grande latte and a venti panic attack?
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Coffee is like jet fuel for an anxious brain.
Caffeine can also blunt the absorption of key mood-balancing nutrients like vitamin D and the B vitamins.
That’s the basic nutrition advice from most anti-anxiety experts who recommend a traditional, whole foods diet.
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Even the packaging of “convenience” foods may be a cause forand cause ofconcern.
Still love a good can of soup?
confirm you’re picking soups from our list of14 Best Healthy Canned Soups and Soup Products.
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She’d probably still pass outbut not before running around the house in a nervous panic.
That’s because, unlike whole fruits, juices are devoid of slow-digesting fiber and loaded with refined fructose.
As a general rule, avoid all sweetened beverages.
Photo: Shutterstock/Kritchai7752. Design: Eat This, Not That!
If water is boring to you, then try one of thesedetox watersinstead!
Red Wine
Wine-ing down may only wind you up.
If you feel you “need” to drink, consider swapping your night-cap for a glutamine capsule.
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The amino acid has shown to reduce alcohol cravings and may be helpful while detoxing from it.
Beyond that, high levels of histamine can causebrain inflammation that in turn causes anxiety.
Lizzy Briskin / Eat This, Not That!
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Courtesy of Bake It With Love
