If you pay a little attention to your emotion, it won’t be long before you discover that foods directly affect your mood. Lifestyle changes, particularly modifications in what you eat, is a very effective approach of treating depression. Just as certain foods can make you feel happy and healthy, others are known to make the symptoms of depression worse. Here we have made a list of top foods to avoid for depression. Sugar A high sugar diet sure looks tempting, but it can cause inflammation in your entire body and brain. Recent research found that brain inflammation gives a boost to the symptoms of depression, such as fatigue and sleep disorder. One study even confirmed that brain inflammation is about 30% higher in people diagnosed with depression. So, the next time if you feel like munching on a bar of milky chocolate, resist your temptation and instead look for a healthy alternative. Processed foods Studies have confirmed that processed foods, such as white bread, pasta, fast food, are among the top foods to avoid depression. People who depend mostly on refined foods have an increased risk of developing depression than those who consume whole foods. Processed foods can surely give your body an instant boost, but you may soon end up feeling fatigued and irritated.

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects an individual’s speech, thinking ability, behavior, emotions, and other aspects of life. There is no cure for schizophrenia, but it can be well-managed if certain aspects of life are taken care of. One area that we are focusing on this post is food. Since people with schizophrenia tend to suffer from more mental health problems, knowing what type of foods can potentially trigger the symptoms is extremely important. Accordingly, here are foods that people with schizophrenia must avoid. Wheat and barley Some people have celiac disease, which prevents them from digesting gluten. Wheat and barley contain high amounts of gluten, and studies have found that consuming gluten can trigger the symptoms of schizophrenia in people with celiac disease. Regularly eating gluten-rich foods can also cause other mental health problems like anxiety, ADHD, depression, and autism. Doctors recommend replacing wheat and barley with fermented grains. These are pre-digested grains and do not impact one’s gut-brain system much, which helps prevent episodes of schizophrenia. Bread and pasta Bread and pasta are other gluten-rich foods that people with schizophrenia must avoid. Studies have shown that approximately 30% of people who have schizophrenia have large quantities of antibodies that work against wheat gluten.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease that can result in symptoms like shortness of breath, and one of the best ways to cope with COPD is through dietary changes. Diet keeps the body weight in check, which is very important for COPD patients, and a nutritional diet can boost the immune system, keep the lungs healthy, and maintain energy levels. Here are five useful dietary tips for people with COPD: Eat more fruits and vegetables Including a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits is one of the most effective dietary tips for people with COPD. Fruits and veggies are packed with essential minerals, vitamins, and fiber that keep the body healthy, and they’re rich in natural antioxidants that promote healing and reduce inflammation. Some vegetables to include in the regular diet are beets, carrots, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and potatoes, and fruits like bananas, grapes, blueberries, and peaches are good for COPD patients. Include complex carbohydrates Carbs are the leading source of energy, but complex carbohydrates like whole grains should be included in the diet instead of simple carbohydrates. The energy gained from complex carbohydrates lasts longer, whereas simple carbohydrates only give a burst of energy for a short period.

Eczema is a condition of the skin. Some of the most common symptoms of eczema are cracked, itchy, red and rough. The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but many medical experts agree that it is often the result of the body to a foreign substance.. Having eczema can be quite an inconvenient condition to have, but the good news is that there are things that can be done to avoid exacerbating the illness. Here are seven trigger foods to avoid that make eczema worse for patients: 1. Citrus fruits One type of food that can trigger a negative response in those who have eczema is citrus fruits. The acids found in these fruits can easily cause swelling and redness of the skin, which exacerbates the symptoms of eczema. Some common fruits that contain high amounts of citrus include oranges, lemons, grapefruits and limes. If possible, people with eczema should greatly reduce or eliminate their intake of these fruits. 2. Dairy Foods containing dairy are another type of food that can worsen the manifestations of eczema. The main reason for this is that these foods contain hormones and saturated fats, which cause inflammation of the skin. Therefore, if possible, people with eczema should reduce or eliminate their intake of dairy, including foods such as milk, ice cream, cheese butter and yogurt.

Asthma is a medical condition that causes swelling, inflammation and narrowing of airways. The airways secrete excess mucus that obstructs smooth breathing. Severe asthma attacks can cause death. Some of the common symptoms of the disease include wheezing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and coughing. Different elements, such foods, cold weather, pesticides, and air pollution may activate asthma attacks. Read on to learn the snacks and ingredients that may trigger symptoms of asthma: 1. Milk Although milk snacks are rich in calcium, they can trigger asthma attacks. If you suffer from a dairy product allergy, avoiding meals containing milk can help reduce vulnerability to asthma attacks. Many people who suffer from dairy allergy from childhood can experience breathlessness, wheezing, and coughing upon consuming milk. Medical experts advise asthma patients to seek a substitute source of calcium and vitamin D upon confirming that the beverage triggers the symptoms of asthma. 2. Packaged potatoes Potato snacks contain preservatives such as sodium sulfite that could trigger asthma symptoms. Instead of purchasing the packed potatoes, buy raw tubers and prepare them in the oven. Every time you want to buy potato or other processed foods from a grocery store, check the ingredients to ensure they do not have preservatives and additives such as tartrazine and sulphates because they are common catalysts of asthma symptoms.

Hepatitis C (or hep C) is a liver infection caused by the HCV virus, which over time damages the liver and the manner in which it functions. Many people have HCV infection but do not know since symptoms may be mild at the start. The infection spreads from one person to the other through body fluids like blood (i.e., sharing needles or tattoos with unsterile equipment). Hepatitis C takes about 2 weeks and 6 months before the virus manifests in symptoms of fatigue, fever, dark urine, joint pain, nausea, stomach pain, itchy skin, sore muscles and jaundice. While doctor care is imperative, certain foods should also be avoided for patients with hep C: 1. Salty foods Salt is crucial for your body, but too much of it can affect your body, and so the diet should be regulated to ensure no high percentage of sodium compounds since it triggers fibrosis. Therefore, you should forget the temptation of taking the shaker because it might add more harm to the body. Salty foods are risky for individuals with high fluid accumulation in the legs and the belly because they will stimulate the growth of Hepatitis C. Salt reacts quickly, and so early warning symptoms of hepatitis C hep C will be seen.

Cholesterol is a lipid-like element that human bodies secrete to assist in the production of fat digestive juices, hormones, and vitamins D. A healthy person contains two types of cholesterol: harmful Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and healthy high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Excess amounts of LDL cholesterol in blood results in fatty deposits in vessels, which makes them narrow. Chest pain, stroke, and heart attack are some symptoms of excess cholesterol. Read on to learn about superfoods that can avert complications from high cholesterol: 1. Avocados These fruits are rich in fiber and fatty acids required for enhancing cholesterol breakdown. The nutrients also improve heart health by increasing HDL production while suppressing the secretion of LDL. Different studies indicate that you can substitute other types of fats with avocados to attain better health. 2. Nuts Several types of nuts are rich in fiber, cholesterol-lowering fats, and a variety of minerals associated with improving heart health. For instance, walnuts have a high supply of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids required to eliminate LDL. Other nuts such as almonds are rich in amino acids (L-arginine) that you need to produce nitric oxide used in the regulation of blood pressure. Some nuts also supply phytosterols, which are plant-based compounds that resemble healthy cholesterol.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, refers to a chronic condition that obstructs air circulation in and out of the lung. Some of the symptoms of COPD include difficulty breathing, mucus secretion, wheezing, and coughing. The leading causes of this condition includes exposure to irritating chemicals or gases for a long time and smoking cigarettes. People suffering from COPD can develop other conditions such as lung cancer and heart disease after sometimes if the condition is not well managed. The following are foods that worsen the symptoms of COPD: 1. Acidic foods and drinks Acidic foods and drinks increase acidic concentration in the stomach. Consequently, during the opening of the esophagus valve, this stomach acid might get into the esophagus hence causing heartburn conditions. Frequent heartburn is associated with acid reflux disease that increases the symptoms of lung disease such as COPD. Therefore, vulnerable people should minimize acidic foods and drinks such as coffee, fruit juice, citrus, and spicy foods. 2. Carbonated beverages Carbonated beverages contain a lot of carbonation and sugar but have got no calories. A higher concentration of carbonation in the stomach results in stomach bloating. This increases difficulties in breathing hence cumulative COPD symptoms. Therefore, high carbonated beverages such as beer, wine, sparkling cider, and soda should be minimized to reduce the symptoms.

Arthritis is a term used to describe the chronic inflammation, pain, redness, and tenderness of joints. Though common amongst older people, arthritis can affect everyone, including children. There are over 200 conditions that cause pain in joints and tissues around them, causing some patients to lose movement. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It affects the hands, back, hips, and knees, and can be reduced with the help of treatment and medications such as kevzara, advil, excedrin, actemra, simponi, and orencia. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune arthritis condition, caused when the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include fatigue, loss of appetite, inflammation, and joint stiffness. To manage arthritis pain, one needs to maintain a healthy diet. Below are some of the snacks that you should avoid that may trigger arthritis flare ups: 1. Soda On average, a 12 –ounce can of soda contains approximately 44 grams of sugar, which equals ten teaspoons. This exceeds the amount of sugar one is supposed to take in a day, which is nine teaspoons for men and six for women. Sugar is harmful to people who have arthritis. Sugar-sweetened soda, in particular, is known to hike the manifestation of arthritis symptoms.

It is uncomfortable or hard to take in the required oxygen your body depends on when you’re short of breath. Mild breathing problems could, at times, be due to intense exercise or a stuffy nose. Though, shortness of breath could also be an indication of a severe illness. Some conditions that could lead to this include allergies, panic attacks or anxiety, issues with your bronchi or trachea, and lung issues such as pneumonia, nasal polyps, emphysema, or asthma. There are also specific trigger foods that cause breathing complications, and they include: 1. Fried foods Fried foods could cause discomfort and bloating, making it uncomfortable and difficult to breathe by pushing the diaphragm. These foods also lead to weight gain when consumed excessively, and this leads to increased pressure applied to the lungs. These fried foods contain plenty of unhealthy fats, which raises cholesterol levels, thus increasing heart disease risk. 2. Carbonated drinks Carbonated beverages, unsurprisingly, is on the list of foods to avoid. Filled with lots of carbonation, empty calories, and sugar, they contribute to increased bloating and weight gain. The increased bloating and gas puts pressure on the lungs. Carbonated drinks such as sparkling cider, sparkling wine, beer, or soda contribute to dehydration as well.