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6 Foods To Avoid For Better Mental Health

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Dr. Vaibhav Dubey
6 Foods To Avoid For Better Mental Health

A healthy diet is important for maintaining good physical health, but did you know that what you eat can also affect your mental health? Certain foods are known to cause or worsen mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Here are 6 foods to avoid if you want to keep your mind healthy and happy!

1. Avoid caffeine

Caffeine can make us feel alert and so start the day with a cup of coffee or tea, but it has also been shown to cause anxiety in high doses. When we don't get enough sleep, which often happens when we drink coffee late in the afternoon or evening, it can lead to depression. Avoiding coffee after lunchtime is definitely recommended! If you still want that morning cup of coffee, consider switching over to decaf if you're having trouble sleeping at night.

If you find it hard to avoid caffeine completely, try chewing on some spearmint leaves instead of reaching for your usual gum or mints, suggests a psychiatrist in Bhopal. Spearmint has similar effects as caffeine without causing anxiety, making an ideal (and tasty) replacement.

2. Say no to drugs

Cannabis is undoubtedly the drug that causes the most problems. Cannabis has been shown to cause depression and anxiety in some people, but it can also trigger high levels of these conditions in those who are already predisposed to them. This makes it particularly dangerous because it often goes undetected until things become very serious. Avoiding all drugs is the best way to keep your mental health healthy!

3. Say no to alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can make us feel happy and relaxed at first, but after a certain point it becomes more likely to actually cause anxiety. Alcohol is linked with both major depressive disorders and many anxiety disorders, so cutting back on drinking may be beneficial for you if you suffer from any type of mental health condition. Alcohol also disrupts sleep and can make it harder to get a good night's rest, which is another way it harms your mental health.

4. Say no to sugar

Sugar isn't just bad for your physical health, but your mental health as well! Sugar may give you an initial mood boost; but that crash after the effect wears off makes us feel anxious and depressed. Excess sugar consumption has been linked with depression and anxiety. If you're trying to combat these conditions, try keeping sugary snacks to a minimum or not having any at all! You should also be aware of how much sugar is in processed foods you eat regularly -- sometimes there's more than we'd expect.

5. Stay away from processed foods

Cooking your own food is always better than eating out at a restaurant or buying pre-packaged foods that are made in factories. The processing that goes into making many of these convenience items involves plenty of additives, which are known to cause mental health problems. These additives may also be the reason why so many people are struggling with obesity, especially in Western societies. Foods high in sugar, salt, and fat should all be eaten only in moderation to keep our minds healthy, so try cooking more meals at home!

6. Don't eat too much

Eating too much is just as bad for our mental health as it is for our physical health! Both obesity and anorexia have been linked with depression and anxiety. When we feel guilty after eating, this can also lead to mental distress. Overeating and undereating both disrupt sleep, which is yet another way they can harm your mental health. Eating at regular intervals throughout the day will help you avoid overeating while still meeting your body's nutritional needs. This will not only keep your mind healthy, but also make it easier to maintain a healthy weight!

Final Thoughts:

As the best psychiatrist in Bhopal, we hope you’ve found this blog post on the 6 foods to avoid for better mental health informative and helpful. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at anytime.


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