Eating more of processed food, refined cereals, food like candies and pastries that are high in sugar, fried food or consuming caffeine and alcohol triggers symptoms of schizophrenia. These types of food should be avoided or limited to a minimum.

Sugar and refined carbohydrates
Eating refined sugar suppresses the hormone in the brain that is responsible for the health and maintenance of neurons. Reduction in this hormone production affects brain activity, which is seen in people with the schizophrenic syndrome. It also produces chemical reactions that result in chronic inflammation. Inflammation disturbs the functioning of the immune system and affects the working of the brain. Inflammation also results in a greater risk of heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Avoiding simple starches and sugars has shown remarkable positive changes in mood, energy, and improvement in mental health.

Coffee, tea, and high-energy drinks
Strong stimulants like coffee, tea, and energy drinks should be limited. Tests show that people who had a high intake of such stimulants were more stressed and that it triggered symptoms of anxiety. A caffeine crash can result in palpitations and fatigue resulting in panic attacks. These stimulating drinks are addictive, and hence it may be difficult to avoid them. In such cases, the patient should limit the quantity or number of drinks. Alternatively, they can take to drinking herbal green tea and fruit juices.

Alcohol
Excess alcohol induces anxiety. It affects the functioning of the mind and body. The hormone serotonin that makes a person feel good is adversely affected by alcohol intake. It also affects the nervous system and results in high blood pressure and heart rate. If a person is used to having a high quantity of alcohol, the withdrawal has to be done under medical supervision, so that the anxiety symptoms do not worsen.

Junk food
Junk food is very low in nutrition. If junk food replaces nutritious food, it results in higher anxiety symptoms in people with schizophrenia. Such food is generally cooked in unhealthy conditions and is high in saturated fats. It is mostly fried in hydrogenated oil, resulting in high fat intake leading to weight gain and bad health. It also increases the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Healthy snacks have to be introduced on the menu to encourage patients to give up on junk food.

Allergens like gluten
Gluten intolerance is known to worsen symptoms in schizophrenic patients, and hence it is advisable to avoid gluten-rich food like wheat, rye, or barley. People with gluten intolerance are at greater risk of anxiety, mood swings, and depression. Research has indicated that removing food containing gluten has resulted in better management of schizophrenia in patients.

People going through difficult phases of schizophrenia are prone to eating food that further aggravates their condition. The caregiver or the family member needs to see that the diet provides choices in terms of nutritional value and taste. The advice given by the dietician has to be followed and tests have to be done to avoid food that causes allergies or intolerance.