The United States is currently facing a large-scale mental health crisis, with roughly one in five children suffering from a behavioral, emotional, or mental disorder in a given year. Effectively preventing and responding to mental health problems is only possible with support from parents, teachers, coaches, and other adults.
That said, the impact of food on anxiety and other mental health challenges is severely underestimated. While no diet can completely eliminate the risk of anxiety, certain foods are associated with a measurable drop in stress. This article will cover a few of the most effective foods for reducing anxiety in children. Don’t forget to check out Yumble’s website to learn about more healthy foods for a kids lunch.
Chamomile Tea
Most of us associate tea with a sense of calm, and this feeling is corroborated by empirical evidence. Studies indicate that chamomile tea can help decrease anxiety along with other mental health conditions including depression and insomnia.
Furthermore, chamomile doesn’t contain any caffeine, so it won’t give your child any unnecessary energy. If they don’t like tea, hot chocolate can have the same effect. While hot chocolate does contain caffeine, the concentration is much lower than that of coffee, black tea, and other caffeinated beverages.
Foods with L-Tryptophan
L-tryptophan is used to produce serotonin, a chemical that’s closely related to your mood. Fortunately, a wide range of foods provide lots of L-tryptophan, making it easy to support your child’s serotonin levels.
A few of the most common foods with high levels of L-tryptophan include spinach, soybeans, watercress, chickpeas, cashews, walnuts, turkey, eggs, salmon, and certain cheeses. Of course, you should try to stick to foods with excellent nutritional value, and L-tryptophan alone doesn’t make something healthy.
Fermented Foods
Certain fermented foods produce a bacterium known as Lactobacillus reuteri. Lactobacillus reuteri is used in the production of oxytocin, another hormone that’s involved in mood regulation.
Along with sauerkraut, pumpernickel, and sourdough bread both contain significant quantities of Lactobacillus reuteri. This bacterium also helps minimize tooth decay, making it an important nutrient for children of all ages.
Parents are often skeptical of the relationship between diet and mental health, but even small dietary changes can lead to a substantial change in mood, memory, and other factors. These are just a few of the top foods to consider if you’re looking for a way to reduce your child’s stress before considering medication, therapy, or another active form of treatment.
This article was produced in collaboration with Yumble. Healthy kids food, delivered.
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