There is an old saying that claims food to be medicine for the body. This holds true for those who have been diagnosed with mental disorders like schizophrenia. Food plays a significant role in maintaining one’s physical and mental health. While many foods promote good health, some end up triggering or worsening the symptoms. Below is a list of top foods that one needs to avoid for schizophrenia. 1. Wheat There are a lot of diets that claim the positive effects of gluten-free foods like wheat. However, some have an intolerance to wheat, which is a result of celiac disease. Exposing oneself to food that can cause an imbalance in one’s mental health can be detrimental when suffering from schizophrenia. It is best to avoid wheat to ensure that one does not face any triggers. 2. Carbs Most often, when one is trying to pick a gluten-free grain and avoid wheat, they must choose carbs wisely. Get professional help to determine which kind of carbs can help manage the symptoms of schizophrenia and not end up triggering it. When one tries to avoid carbs completely, the body may undergo certain changes as a result of the sudden switch. Get all the help when one decides to make this shift.

The food we eat has an instant and direct bearing on our cholesterol levels and eating the right foods and food combinations will go a long way in lowering and keeping the cholesterol levels in check. To build a balanced diet that will keep you healthy and not constrain your eating, you can pick and choose foods from the five categories listed below. According to the Heart Foundation, you need to pick out of the five categories below: 1. Whole grains Add in oats, millets, wheat, brown rice, quinoa, and similar whole grains, along with a larger amount of vegetables and fruits. 2. Healthy protein Best sources include fish, seafood, legumes (lentils and beans), seeds, and nuts. You can add in eggs and lean poultry in smaller amounts to make your diet a heart-healthy one. Limit the intake of red meat to not more than three times a week. 3. Low-fat foods Pick reduced-fat varieties of food in the likes of unflavored milk, cheese, and yogurt. 4. Natural fats The best sources of fat are avocados, olives, nuts, and seeds. Choose cooking oils from this category of foods for better health. 5. Natural herbs and spices Skip the salt and add herbs and spices to draw out the flavor in your cooking.

People diagnosed with lung conditions like asthma or COPD must take extra care of their lung health. While there is no cure for asthma and COPD, the symptoms can be managed to help patients breathe better. One of the most important factors that strengthen the lungs and help cope with the symptoms is eating right and avoiding harmful foods. Here’s a list of foods to avoid with asthma or COPD to prevent triggering the symptoms: 1. Fried foods Greasy foods require a lot of effort during digestion, which can end up causing bloating and increase the pressure on the diaphragm. This, in turn, pressurizes the lungs and worsens breathing issues. Also, fried foods can end up causing weight gain, which is another contributing factor that can worsen breathing troubles. It is always better to replace fried foods with healthier options to manage the symptoms of these respiratory conditions and promote overall health. 2. Aerated drinks Aerated beverages also contain other elements like artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and colors. Such foods beverages are among the top ones to avoid for people diagnosed with asthma or COPD because they directly impact breathing. Also, these elements contain no nutritional value but cause weight gain.

The biggest challenge with a ketogenic diet is to stick to a high-fat diet while keeping the carbs extremely low. Some of the most important sources of food that you need to be avoiding include processed grains and sugars which are contained in foods like muffins and pizzas. However, these are not the only foods that you must avoid. Below is a list of the foods to avoid on the keto diet. 1. Croutons  This is a common addition to a salad when you want to make it appetizing. Unfortunately, it certainly does not work that way when you are on a keto diet. Just two tablespoons of croutons can easily contain up to five grams of carbs, which is not allowed when you already have a restrictive diet. 2. Peas This falls under the category of starchy vegetables and should be completely avoided when you follow the keto diet. However, you can introduce non-starchy veggies to your diet in the form of zucchini or broccoli. 3. Low-calorie packaged foods  When you are on a keto diet, you must opt for fresh foods rather than packed and processed food items. This means that you have to cut down on flavored crackers and pretzels which are considered fat-free but rich in carbs.

People with ulcerative colitis must be mindful of what they eat. Many food groups and items can trigger symptoms like diarrhea, cramps, pains, and rectal bleeding, and some can cause relapse and severe complications. Frequent bouts of diarrhea could leave one exhausted and dehydrated, so one should identify foods that are not just safe but also nutritious. Here are some foods to provide ulcerative colitis patients with enough nutrition and soothe the symptoms: 1. Lean meat When recovering from a bout of ulcerative colitis or relapse, one needs protein to regain stamina. With red meat and lentils being harmful, patients can get the required protein from other alternate sources like poultry and fish, but poultry must be skinned. Other suitable lean meat choices are ground beef turkey, pork loin, and sirloin. One can start on lean meat only when all the symptoms have completely subsided. 2. Fish While choosing fish, one should opt for non-fatty fish or those rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, albacore, and tuna, as they can help relieve inflammation in the colon. One should start with small portions and bake or steam the fish with mild spice and salt to prevent relapse. 3. Yogurt Yogurt is packed with probiotics or live bacteria that can promote gut health.