Schizophrenia is a mental illness with severe symptoms, such as hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, inappropriate emotions, a problem with articulating thoughts, and lack of attention, to name a few. These symptoms restrict the patients and their families from enjoying a normal lifestyle and come with demanding needs that require time, effort, and adequate medical insurance. While medical care is a top priority in this condition, combining it with a well-balanced diet can help manage the symptoms of schizophrenia better

1. Fish

Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which helps in reducing inflammation, prevents the progression of the disease, and manages the symptoms of schizophrenia. Additionally, they aid in good heart health. Sardines, mackerel, trout, herring, salmon, pilchards, shellfish are options rich in omega-3. And if you follow a vegan diet, you can opt for flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and other plant-based foods rich in omega-3.

2. Brown bread, brown rice, barley, grains

A diet rich in fiber has many health benefits; it aids in digestion, lowers bad cholesterol, and prevents heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, which schizophrenic patients are likely to develop. Fiber-rich foods include more raw vegetables, fruits, pulses, legumes, lentils, oatmeal, and rye.

3. Spinach, asparagus, beef liver

These are foods high in folate, making for an essential addition for schizophrenic patients as the B 12 breakdown is altered during digestion. It manages the negative symptoms like lack of ability to experience pleasure, problems with emotions, and articulating thoughts and languages. While many folic acid supplements are easily available, it’s advised to best ingest the nutrient naturally through foods. Your diet can include more beans, cantaloupe, broccoli, lentils, legumes, lettuce, avocados, and sweet corn.

4. Yogurt, kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, kefir

Probiotic foods encourage the growth of good bacteria that aids in digestion, improves gastrointestinal problems, and prevents abnormalities related to the immune system. Schizophrenic patients usually face these problems, and probiotic foods can relieve these symptoms for them.

5. Pecans, apples, plums, berries, beans

Foods rich in antioxidants fight oxidation in the brain, which is responsible for causing cancer. And schizophrenic patients, especially, are more likely to develop varied types of cancer and other illnesses. Try and include foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E to help reduce oxidation, and avoid fried foods and foods high in saturated fats.

6. Stay hydrated

Having adequate water alone takes care of many health issues, but for schizophrenic patients, it primarily makes a lot of difference as the water metabolism is altered in them. They need more water intake than a normal person, as they’re at risk of neuroendocrine dysfunction. While we’ve gone through the list of foods that help manage the symptoms of schizophrenia, below is the list of foods to avoid:

-Saturated fats from frozen dinners, red meat, fried food, and other options high in fats

-Processed salts and sugars from packaged food, white bread, candy, and sodas

-Caffeinated drinks.