Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder associated with intense symptoms, like hallucinations, impaired speech, lack of coordination in movement, and difficulty thinking. This chronic disease needs to be addressed at the earliest to keep the symptoms from getting worse. Usually, for illnesses like these, doctors recommend eating healthy while the treatment is ongoing. This article shares some nutrition tips for schizophrenia patients.

Why does eating healthy matter?
To adapt to a change in diet, one must understand how it will benefit them to follow the new regime wholeheartedly. A healthy diet matters for schizophrenic patients because they are at a high risk of developing other illnesses due to their excessive use of drugs, making their condition even worse. Eating healthy can keep cardiovascular diseases and diabetes at bay, which are the two common triggers for schizophrenic patients. Listed below are some nutrition tips that people with the said illness must consciously make an effort to inculcate in their regime.

1. Add more fruits to the daily intake
Fruits are high in fiber and contain healthy vitamins that are essential for good digestive health. Fiber, aiding with timely bowel movement, also helps combat bad cholesterol that, in turn, keeps heart-related issues at bay. Fruits high in fiber include mangoes, apples, berries, peaches, and watermelon.

2. Try to eat more vegetables
Vegetables are low in calories and carry essential nutrients that are required to maintain a healthy body. There are so many ways to inculcate vegetables in a diet, but the ones that require the least effort are carrots, sweet potatoes, kidney beans, broccoli, and bell peppers. Carrots, kidney beans, and sweet potatoes are best had when steamed, and the rest can be eaten raw. Try to alternate them every day, so the body gets enough vitamins and nutrients from all kinds of vegetables.

3. Avoid gluten
Gluten is the culprit that is difficult to digest and is associated with many inappropriate functions. It just makes the person feel full for a longer time but has no substantial benefits. This protein found in wheat, rye, barley, etc., can contribute to brain fog, hallucination, and impaired communication.

4. Intake non-dairy yogurt
There are good and bad gut bacteria, and both kinds have their role to play in keeping the digestive tract healthy. While this is common among all people, schizophrenic patients are especially reported with a lack of gut bacteria. Yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut are some other foods that are packed with live bacteria.

5. Consume cod liver oil and omega 3 fatty acids
These can be found in some foods and in the form of fortified foods or supplements. Cod liver oil is packed with vitamin D, found in swordfish, salmon, and mackerel. And foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids include nuts and seeds, tuna, soybean oil, canola oil, and eggs.