Studies have shown that food plays a primary role in influencing the frequency, intensity, and duration of bipolar disorder. It also influences the ability of a person to handle the effects of bipolar disorder on sleep, perceptions, behavior, and general functioning.
Some specific foods for bipolar disorder that can help mitigate its effects include green tea, yogurt, flaxseed, flax oil, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, oatmeal, fresh spinach, salmon, bananas, chicken, whole-grain breads and food, dark chocolate, nuts, and apple cider vinegar.
When suffering from bipolar disorder, how you handle your food also helps in mitigating its effects. For instance, it is important to eat foods that take time to break down and be absorbed. Any food that is high in fiber would work. Some foods for bipolar disorder that are high in fiber include apples, brown rice, flax seeds, beans, oats, and vegetables. High-fiber foods are also great because they form a staple meal.
Another effective way to handle bipolar disorder is to consume food that helps avoid blood sugar crashes. One way to do this is to eat protein-rich foods such as fish, chicken, eggs, yogurt, seeds, nuts, peanut butter, cheese, tofu, and milk. Make sure that there is a combination of good carbohydrates and protein in every meal. The combination of our food plays an important role in mood-stabilizing. A combination of proteins and carbohydrates slows digestion and prevents abrupt sugar crashes. If the sweet tooth takes over, avoid anything that has high forms of simple sugars. These include fruit juices, soft drinks, candies, jellies, and syrups. On the other hand, fatty acids are great as mood stabilizers and are also good for the heart. Coldwater fish, walnuts, eggs, and flaxseeds are great sources of fatty acids.
Do not go overboard with coffee because caffeine affects sleep. A good, uninterrupted sleep is significant for good moods. Limit alcohol as well because alcohol is a depressant.
Vitamin B complex supplements help in the release of chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. Great sources of B6, B12, and folic acid include yogurt, eggs, poultry, leafy greens, and shellfish. Vitamin D also helps the brain produce chemicals that regulate or boost moods. Dairy products are a great source of vitamin D.
Some of the foods you should completely avoid if you suffer from bipolar disorder include anything with concentrated simple sugars, white flour, processed foods, foods with preservatives or chemicals, and too much alcohol.
Some foods trigger episodes when one has bipolar disorder. These could differ from person to person. To figure this out, one could journal their eating habits and make a note of all the foods that appear to instigate the onset of an episode. Trigger foods can cause depression, crying spells, foggy brain or a sharp sudden rise, followed by a crash of mood. Some trigger foods include artificial sweeteners, fat-free meals, lactose, cheese that is processed, carbonated soft drinks, drinks like Kool-aid, and food coloring.
Diet, food habits, and the way one handles food for bipolar disorder plays an important role in how the condition affects them. So it is important to equip oneself with knowledge related to this and to put that into practice if one is suffering from bipolar disorder.
