Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that causes a patient to experience frequent hallucinations and delusions. It directly affects an individual’s ability to think clearly and can also affect their regular behavior. The condition is influenced by multiple factors like genetics, brain chemistry, and the external environment, and the severity of the symptoms also depends on one’s dietary habits.
Here are a few dietary tips for schizophrenia patients to better manage the condition:
Eat more fruits and veggies
A healthy and balanced diet is important for schizophrenia patients, and including a lot of fruits and vegetables in the diet ensures an increased consumption of whole foods and natural ingredients. The natural sugars in these foods cause lower insulin spikes as compared to those caused by refined sugars. So, it is better to reach for a fruit rather than eating sugary processed foods or baked goods to satiate one’s sweet tooth.
Choose fibrous foods
Schizophrenia symptoms are known to worsen in patients who are obese or overweight. Fibrous foods are beneficial in such cases as they promote digestive health and help an individual stay full for longer, preventing overeating. This dietary tip makes it easier for schizophrenia patients to maintain a healthy weight and manage the condition effectively.
Get more vitamins
Certain schizophrenia patients may have a B-vitamin complex deficiency and may need supplements to make up for it. An effective dietary tip for schizophrenia patients is to regularly eat foods that are rich in B vitamins like niacin and riboflavin. Such foods include clams, tomatoes, green vegetables, eggs, fish, and poultry.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Other nutrients that many schizophrenia patients seem to be deficient in are omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats are present in fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, or one can opt for other foods like flax seeds and nuts. One can also take Omega-3 supplements after consulting a doctor.
Avoid gluten
In some cases, sensitivity to wheat and gluten may aggravate the symptoms of schizophrenia. Gluten is a specific type of protein that is usually found in grains like rye, wheat, and barley. It is known to interfere with brain functioning and can obstruct communication within the body through neurotransmitters. So, it’s best to steer clear of foods that contain gluten.
Avoid excess sugar, salt, and fats
While healthy fats are important, an important dietary tip for schizophrenia patients is to cut down on all kinds of saturated fats. One should also try and moderate their consumption of refined sugar and salt to lead a healthy life with the condition. Sugar and salt in certain foods can be addictive after a period of time, inducing cravings for more such foods. This can, eventually, lead to overeating and cause weight gain.
