According to Harvard Health Publishing through Harvard Medical School, diet can play an important role in managing anxiety which is the most common mental illness in the United States.

The following foods have been shown to help reduce anxiety symptoms:

• Beans: Dried small red, pinto, black, red kidney

• Fruits: Apples (Gala, Granny Smith, Red Delicious), prunes, sweet cherries, plums, black plums, avocado

• Berries: Blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, blueberries

• Nuts: Walnuts, pecans, cashews, almonds

• Vegetables: Artichokes, kale, spinach, swiss chard beets, broccoli, pickles, sauerkraut, asparagus

• Spices with both antioxidant and anti-anxiety properties include turmeric (containing the active ingredient curcumin) and ginger

• Protein: egg yolks, oysters, beef, fatty fish like Alaskan salmon

*Always be sure to check with your healthcare provider before making any drastic changes to your diet.