Food to Avoid When You Have Bipolar Disorder

In the studies, researchers found that a diet resembling the Mediterranean diet is best. These diets are rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and foods high in omega-3 fats. The western diet, which includes many processed foods and is high in sugar, was found to not only contribute to poor physical health but could trigger bipolar moods and contribute to worsening of the condition according to the study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

One of the side effects of some bipolar medications is weight gain. Eating a diet high in sugar contributes to that weight gain. In addition, sugar can make some medications for bipolar less effective according to a study published in Acta Psychiatrica Scanddinavica.

Stimulants, such as caffeine can trigger mania according to the International Bipolar Foundation. It also inhibits sleep, which might contribute to bipolar mood swings and mania.

Because people with bipolar have a high comorbidity with heart disease and high blood pressure, they should limit their sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg. per day according to the American Heart Association. Persons taking lithium need to be especially careful with salt, as sudden changes in sodium intake can affect lithium levels according to the National Institutes of Health. If you take lithium, talk to your doctor about how much sodium you should have on a daily basis.

Fatty foods can change the way medication is absorbed. High-fat meals can delay the absorption of some bipolar medications. Be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist to find out if you should take the medication on an empty stomach or with food and, if so, whether certain foods, such as high-fat meals, will interfere with the effectiveness of the medication.

Grapefruit and other citrus fruits may interfere with how your medication is absorbed. The chemicals in the grapefruit can wipe out the enzyme that breaks down the drugs in your system causing you to absorb the medication too quickly. Check with your pharmacist to see if you should avoid grapefruit juice while taking your medications.

Some people with bipolar disorder use alcohol to help stabilize their moods, but this doesn’t usually work because alcohol is a depressant and can trigger a depressive episode. In addition, people with bipolar are more at risk of developing alcohol dependency. Approximately 46 percent of those with bipolar disorder indicated they had abused alcohol or were addicted to alcohol according to DualDiagnosis.org

People with bipolar disorder have a higher risk of binge eating than those without bipolar. Those that do binge eat are more likely to have suicidal thoughts, psychosis, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. When moods are not stabilized, binge eating is more frequent.