10 Worst Foods for Anxiety and Depression

When we’re feeling anxious or depressed, most of us want to disappear into a bag of Lays chips, soda, and chocolates. But while those comfort foods feel good to indulge in when you’re bummed out, they can actually worsen anxiety and depression, making the symptoms even more unbearable. There are also some foods and drinks you might believe are healthy, but can actually bring your mood down significantly. Here’s what to avoid eating or drinking if your mental health isn’t at its best.

1. Fruit juice

A lot of people think fruit juice is “natural” and hence will boost your mental health immediately. But it’s the opposite: without fiber, it’s essentially healthy sugar-water that will lead you to a crash and burn scenario. After that sugar high wears off, you’ll be even hungrier and in a worse mood. Eat fruit whole or make a smoothie, but if you’re thirsty, drink water before anything else.

2. Regular and diet soda

Soda is the enemy of anxiety and depression, even though it might make you happy in the moment to chug an ice-cold Sprite or Cola. In fact, sugar-sweetened beverages are linked directly to depression, and they’ll spike your blood-sugar intensely. Instead, drink club soda! The same goes for diet soda, which can still contain caffeine and hence worsens anxiety.

3. Light/sugar-free dressing

These salad dressings aren’t healthier. These dressings are sweetened by aspartame, which is an ingredient commonly found in diet soda that is linked to both depression and anxiety. Just make it at home from scratch! All you need is some lemon and olive oil. Just know: whenever you see a sugar-free product in fridges or on shelves, this is the catch.

4. Hydrogenated oil

Not sure what this is? Everything fried. Fried mozzarella sticks, fried chicken, fried calamari, and our biggest temptation: French fries. These foods can cause and worsen depression. Foods are usually deep-fried in hydrogenated oil, which has trans fats and can clog arteries (and brain function).