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The anti-anxiety diet

Boost your immune system with Sue Gilbert's stress-free diet

Anxiety can eat away at even the most efficient, composed people. Although tension and daily stresses are unavoidable, you can relieve tension and manage stress better by what you do and don't eat. Here are some ideas for a healthier diet.

1. Cut out caffeine. Too many fizzy drinks, coffee, tea or chocolate can overwhelm your nervous system and take you from heightened alertness over the edge into nervousness and, in rare cases, bring on panic attacks. Even if you think you can't survive without your caffeine fix, try eliminating it for a day and see how you feel.
2. Drink less alcohol. Many people reach for a drink to calm their nerves (and it's got to be said, you do initially feel better), but the consequences of overindulgence can outweigh the benefits of initial relaxation. For some, a hangover, insomnia and dehydration make you feel worse than before you had a drink, and the depressants in alcohol can make you feel sluggish and anxious. Reach for a glass of water or all natural fruit juice when you need a soothing drink, or limit your alcohol to a couple of glasses.
3. Eat complex carbohydrates. During anxious times, turn to comforting carbs. These foods act as a mild tranquiliser by increasing the amount of serotonin, a calming neurotransmitter, in your brain. Complex carbs, such as potatoes, wholewheat bread and pasta, take longer to digest than sugary simple carbs like white bread, so you stay fuller longer and your blood sugar is likely to stay steady, eliminating stress and anxiety. Eat carbs without fat or protein to feel instant contentment, but note that a balanced diet needs protein and fat as well.
4. Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement. An unbalanced diet can make you feel fatigued, achy and unproductive, which can lead to feelings of anxiety. B vitamins, whose role it is to unlock the energy in food, are crucial, particularly B-6, which helps manufacture serotonin in the brain. Choose a daily supplement that supplies 100 per cent of the daily recommendation of all vitamins and minerals.
5. Stay well-hydrated. Be sure to drink eight glasses of water a day and always drink more than you think you need. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches and stress.
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