Although diet doesn’t directly impact schizophrenia, a serious mental illness, patients who have unhealthy eating habits, or consume a large amount of saturated fats without sufficient fruit or fiber intake, may experience additional health problems (i.e., diabetes or cardiovascular risks) that exacerbate mood. In order to keep other health problems and mood-related symptoms in check, it is essential that individuals with schizophrenia adopt a healthy, balanced diet.
Here is a list of foods that are highly recommended for schizophrenia patients:
1. Fresh fruits
One of the common problems is that schizophrenia patients tend to miss out on enough fiber intake. In order to balance the diet, it is essential that they add in fruits in the form of pears, raspberries, and apples, amongst other fiber-rich foods so that digestion is not interrupted and bad cholesterol is kept in check. This will also enable the individual to put a check on other health problems like diabetes, obesity, and heart diseases.
2. Fresh vegetables
Similar to fruits, vegetables too are low in fat and calories. This will help the individual to get the needed vitamins and fiber without impacting the cholesterol in the body negatively. One of the key components that schizophrenia patients lack is potassium, which is essential to help in regulating blood sugar. A good source of vegetables includes kidney beans, sweet potatoes, and lima beans.
3. Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are not naturally produced in the body, and they need to be obtained through healthy sources of food for schizophrenia. This particular component has the potential to slow down the progression of a disease and eases the symptoms in many health disorders including schizophrenia. Some of the best sources of this element are mackerel and salmon; those who are not too fond of fish can get the nutrients supplied through natural supplements.
4. Foods rich in niacin
According to research, niacin is a compound that has the capacity to slow down the rate of schizophrenia advancement and also aids in alleviating the symptoms of this mental health disorder. As a result, the best sources of niacin-rich foods are chicken and marinara sauce.
5. Spinach
We often hear of the perks of eating green leafy vegetables, and spinach is definitely considered the king of this segment due to its rich folate content. Folate is what is known as folic acid when extracted for use in supplements or to fortify foods. Spinach is a great food for schizophrenia since it has the ability to ease the symptoms of the disease. Some other sources of folate-rich foods include asparagus, beef liver, and black-eyed peas.
There are also other foods such as oysters, crabs, clams, and cod oil that are recommended as great foods for schizophrenia patients. However, it is important that you consult with a doctor or dietitian to get a custom meal plan for your particular health issues.
