Food and Thought Newsletter - May 2025

May 21, 2025

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Anxiety and Diet; Food’s Impact On our Mood 

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States, with over 40 million adults currently diagnosed. Not only that, but our children are feeling the effects of this pervasive condition, with approximately 7% of children aged 3-17 experiencing symptoms each year. While there is no single cause or cure for anxiety, research is increasingly shedding light on the role that diet can play in mental health conditions and symptom management. “We’re understanding more and more just how much food influences the body,” says Functional Medicine Specialist Dr. Melissa Young. “There’s clear medical evidence that nutrition affects our emotional well-being and can reduce the risk of anxiety.” * If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, talk to your health care provider right away.

 

What Is Anxiety, Anyway?

Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, each having unique symptoms. However, all anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening. People typically experience one or more of the following emotional and physical symptoms:
• Feeling tense or jumpy
• Restlessness or irritability
• Anticipating the worst and being watchful for signs of danger
• Feelings of apprehension or dread
• Pounding or racing heart and shortness of breath
• Sweating, tremors and twitches
• Headaches, fatigue and insomnia
• Upset stomach, frequent urination or diarrhea

 

Foods that Feed and Fight Anxiety

Some foods have been shown to increase or worsen symptoms of anxiety, while others can be helpful in reducing symptoms.
Feeding Anxiety: foods to reduce
Fried foods,
Soda/sugary drinks
Pastry
White Bread
Fighting Anxiety: foods to increase
Fish
Avocados
Beams
Eggs

Sources for this month’s newsletter: have been taken from:https://health.clevelandclinic.org/eat-these-foods-to-reduce-stress-and-anxiety;https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Anxiety-Disorders/

The Food and Thought Program works to promote awareness and provide short term counselling around the important link between. nutrition and emotional health. For more information or for a referral to the program, please contact the Food and Thought Program

This work is supported by the Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospital Community Benefits Community Grant Program and the Essex County Community Foundation Behavioral Health Partnership Grant.

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