Top 10 Foods to Calm Irritability and Anxiety

Do you sometimes feel irritable, restless, or anxious?

Who doesn’t, right?

But did you know that something as simple as the right foods can help calm you down and make you feel more grounded?

It’s true.

Growing up my mom used to tell me that the best medicine is the food we eat. And when it comes health and healing, she has certainly influenced my thinking.

So when I look for healing remedies, food is always my first stop.

Top 10 Foods to Calm Irritability and Aniety

Based on Dr. Maoshing Ni’s book, The Tao of Nutrition, I identified 10 foods with natural properties that help ease irritability, agitation, restlessness and anxiety.

Here’s the list. They are not in any particular order…

1. Beets

In my previous post, Liver Qi Stagnation, I mentioned that one of the common causes of PMS irritability, frustration and anger was an overactive liver due to hectic lifestyle factors.

Beets are an excellent liver cleanser. They not only help detoxify the liver, but they also help nourish blood, strengthen the heart, and calm the spirit.

In addition to beets, it’s helpful to do a liver detox once in a while to give the liver a thorough cleansing. I just came off Dr. Tobias 21 Day Liver Cleanse, and felt noticeably lighter, physically and emotionally. 

2. Collard Greens

Collard greens clear liver heat, detoxify the liver and help get the stagnated Qi flowing freely.

They not only help relieve irritability and agitation, but also help with constipation, headaches and abdominal fullness.

3. Dandelion Greens

Similar to collard greens, dandelion greens also clear heat, detoxify, and benefit liver function. They’re especially beneficial for relieving fullness and stuffiness in the chest.

If you’re not eating enough of these leafy greens, try Amazing Grass Green Superfood Organic Power. Put it in your smoothies or make a juice with it. It’ll give you all the green super power you need to jump start your day and keep your body alkaline, which is essential for a healthy menstrual cycle.

4. Tomatoes

Tomatoes clear heat, detoxify, calm the liver, remove stagnant food, and aid in digestion. They not only help to calm your moods, but also help to relieve the redness in your eyes.

I definitely need to eat more tomatoes to help calm my tired eyes from staring at the computer for so many hours!

5. Wheat

Have you ever felt calmer after eating a piece of wheat bread? I surely have.

Wheat clears heat, relives restlessness, and calms the spirit. It’s great for insomnia, irritability, menopause, night sweats, and dry mouth and throat, among its many other benefits.

6. Wheat Germ

Wheat germ helps relieve restlessness and emotional agitation. Due to the high oil content of wheat germ, it can become rancid if not properly stored. So always buy wheat germ fresh and store it in the refrigerator.

7. Pinto Beans

Pinto beans help build up Chi/energy, nourish blood, clear heat, and calm the spirit. They’re also excellent for fatigue and insomnia.

Once a while I like to get a good dose of pinto beans from the local Mexican restaurants in my neighborhood.

8. Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds calm the liver and help relieve headache and dizziness.

I just started putting a handful in my cereal and porridge in the morning. They surely add some extra flavor and texture to my breakfast.

I also like to munch on shelled sunflower seeds while watching a movie. My husband called me a little squirrel. Hey, why not? It keeps my mouth busy and my mind relaxed. 

Another one of my favorites is baked sunflower seed bites. It makes yummy snacks for lunch and on the go.

Is it too obvious that I love sunflower seeds? Ha ha.

9. Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)

Garbanzo beans also help to build up Chi/energy and calm the spirit. They’re beneficial for low energy, anxiety, restlessness, constipation and lack of concentration. I often add some garbanzo beans to my soups. Delicious!

10. Spirulina/Chlorella

Spirulina is one of those super-foods. It clears heat toxins from the liver, and helps build up Chi/energy and healthy blood.

It’s excellent for low energy, lower back pain, night sweats, irritability, agitation, liver toxicity and indigestion.

As I’m writing this post, I’ve got a few new food ideas to add to my regular diet. How about you? Why not take advantage of their healing power and use them to help calm your PMS irritability, agitation, restless and anxiety.

Are there any other foods that should be on the list? Please leave me a comment.

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