People with schizophrenia often have unhealthy dietary habits. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that can lead to other serious problems if you do not follow a healthy diet plan. This article shares a recommended diet plan for schizophrenia patients t o avoid the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Read on to know more.

Foods to eat

1. Fruits
According to studies, characters who have schizophrenia do not eat enough fiber. But including fruits like raspberries, apples, pear, etc., can fix that problem. Fiber helps lower the bad cholesterol that helps with digestion. A diet made from fiber-rich foods can also reduce your risk of other health issues that are often linked to schizophrenia, such as heart disease and obesity. Fruits also have healthy nutrients required for optimal functioning of the brain.

2. Vegetables
Low in calories and fat, vegetables are a treasure trove of nutrients and essential vitamins. Potassium found in vegetables like sweet potatoes, lima beans, and kidney beans helps regulate your blood sugar levels. They also deliver healthy macronutrients to your body that are required to combat the ill effects of schizophrenia.

3. Spinach
These leafy green veggies are a rich source of folate that helps ease the symptoms of schizophrenia. You can also find folate in black-eyed peas and asparagus.

4. Non-dairy yogurt
According to research, a bad gut microbiome – bacteria in your intestines – is linked to schizophrenia. While prebiotics found in fruits and vegetables help, you also need to include live culture probiotics found in yogurt and kimchi to mitigate bad gut bacteria. For best results, look for non-dairy variants.

Foods to avoid

1. Bread
According to some health experts, wheat sensitivity may aggravate mental health symptoms, such as schizophrenia. According to a study, some people with schizophrenia saw a noticeable improvement in their condition when they consumed a gluten-free diet. However, consult your doctor before eliminating wheat from your meals.

2. Refined sugars
People with schizophrenia often have a diet rich in refined sugars that can increase their risk of diabetes. A diet with a low-glycemic index will help in alleviating the symptoms of schizophrenia. Therefore, it is important to cut out candy, sweetened beverages, artificial sugars, etc.

Food is not only required for your sustenance but also to deliver essential nutrients to your body for optimal functioning. Managing what you eat can be an important step in staying healthy, more so if you have schizophrenia. This is because people with this mental disorder may be susceptible to other ailments as well. Therefore, you need to follow the recommended diet plan for schizophrenia patients to avoid aggravating your symptoms and keep your condition in check. Apart from these tips, consider taking help from a professional nutritionist to make the right food choices.