What is the best food to eat when you feel anxious?

There isn’t one single best food for anxiety, but the most helpful choice is usually a small snack that combines complex carbohydrates and protein to help keep your blood sugar steady.

Good options include:

• Oatmeal with nuts or seeds
• Greek yogurt with fruit
• Banana with peanut or almond butter
• Whole-grain toast with eggs
• A handful of nuts or pumpkin seeds

If you want one especially simple option, oatmeal is a solid pick because it’s gentle, filling, and can help you avoid the blood-sugar dips that sometimes make anxiety feel worse.

Foods and drinks to limit when you’re anxious:

• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Very sugary or highly processed snacks

These can sometimes make jitteriness, racing heart, or mood swings feel worse.

If anxiety is frequent, intense, or affecting your daily life, it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional.