During this pandemic, we all are experiencing heightened anxiety and there is so much we can’t control. What we eat is luckily something we can control now. Some foods are good for our physical, emotional well-being, and some are not.

Although I am not a medical doctor, I’ve observed that foods do have an impact on us:

Anxiety – Food that is especially sugary or those with a lot of caffeine can increase someone’s agitation and then make them more prone to anxiety. Sometimes ginseng can do this as well.

I think herbal teas such as chamomile or those with other calming properties can be extremely useful.

What amount of food should people eat? – Eating slowly and mindfully can help reduce intake. Often when people eat quickly or standing up, their bodies don’t have a chance to metabolize the food and recognized that they are sated. Often overeating happens with rushing, or when certain moods kick in. Some people eat when they feel anxious; others can’t eat. It’s really an individual response.

Whether or not you have an anxiety disorder or ‘just feel anxious sometimes,’ the feeling of anxiety is the same. The difference is one of frequency and intensity.