Feeling a little cranky and anxious? Changing your diet up may help—cut down or eliminate these foods for a healthier and happier attitude.

1. Sugar. Refined sugars cause your blood sugar levels to rapidly rise and fall, resulting in emotional and physical fatigue. You have a pretty good idea what food contains sugar, but just in case, here’s a reminder—white bread, pasta, white rice, pastries, candy, cakes, crackers, chips and soft drinks, oh my!
2. Booze. Drinking alcohol can cause anxiety symptoms. I know this seems counter- intuitive, since most of us drink to relax. Unfortunately, the relaxing period is short lived as the alcohol is metabolized in the body. If you suffer from anxiety attacks, back away from the bar.
3. Coffee. Caffeine is a stimulant that can disrupt your sleep, make you jittery and trigger panic attacks. Try this: cut your caffeine intake by brewing half decaffeinated coffee and half regular. You won’t taste the difference but your body will notice!
4. Salt. Hold the salt. Large amounts of salt can deplete your body of potassium, a mineral that is essential for proper functioning of the nervous system. And you probably already know that salt can increase your blood pressure, puts a strain on your heart and arteries and increases your anxiety.

EAT THESE ANTI-ANXIETY FOODS INSTEAD

1. Berries. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries – ALL berries are loaded with vitamin C and other valuable plant substances that offset the human stress hormone cortisol. The carbohydrates they contain are the good, complex kind—meaning that body breaks them down into sugar slowly, so you don’t experience a blood-sugar crash.
2. Guacamole. Loaded with lots of of B vitamins, good old guacamole aids our brain cells and nerves. It’s also high in healthy fat and fiber.
3. Mixed nuts. Nuts are great for your health because they’re high in fiber and healthy fat. But they’re also full of vitamins and minerals that are sapped from the body by stress and anxiety. Walnuts have a lot of B vitamins, Brazil nuts deliver a load of zinc, and almonds give you vitamin E.
4. Oranges. Citrus fruit of all kinds, including oranges, provide the body with lots of vitamin C. It’s been shown that taking 1,000 mg of vitamin C before a stressful event lowers cortisol levels and blood pressure in a person compared with someone who doesn’t.
5. Asparagus. This skinny vegetable is a good source of folic acid, which has been shown to be a natural mood-lifter.
6. Basil. This common garden herb assists in maintaining homeostasis and a healthy response to stressful situations as well healthy cortisol levels and hormonal balance. Basil promotes metabolic efficiency and greater ability to maintain blood sugar (and a better mood) within a normal range.
7. Dark Chocolate. Eating chocolate that’s at least 70 percent cocoa means you’re getting a strong dose of antioxidant flavonoids, which help to prevent heart disease and cancer. And, chocolate’s free-radical-fighting power help the body deal with the negative effects of stress.

Read the entire article on BodyChecklist.com: http://bodychecklist.com/article/mind-spirit/41296/11081/cranky-check-your-diet