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Diet for Bipolar Disorder



While there is no specific diet for bipolar disorder, there are certain foods that could aggravate or relieve symptoms of bipolar disorder. The main aim behind changing your diet to treat bipolar disorder should be to stay well and maintain a healthy weight.

• Avoid red meat
• Avoid caffeine
• Avoid foods high in trans fats and saturated fats
• Eat a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, soy products and cold-water fish
• Eat fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, trout or herring at least twice a week to benefit from the omega 3 fatty acids present. If you are a vegetarian, try including walnuts or flax seeds to your daily diet. Alternatively take a supplement every day to keep your heart healthy and help balance out brain functioning.
• Watch your intake of salt especially if you are on lithium for bipolar disorder
• If you are on antidepressants such as MAO inhibitors, avoid foods containing tyramine such as bananas, liver, soy sauce, and fermented cheese. These can react adversely with the medication and cause hypertension