Before knowing what foods can be consumed to manage schizophrenia symptoms, we need to know what schizophrenia is. Schizophrenia is a mental illness that is most often characterized by episodes of hallucinations and delusions.

That said people with schizophrenia do not have the healthiest food habits. Bad eating habits can put patients with schizophrenia at a greater risk of heart disease and diabetes. It is hence very important to watch the diet of a person with schizophrenia.

This article will help you get a good idea of the foods that are helpful for a person with schizophrenia and what they need to include more of in their diet:

• Fruits: According to various studies, people with schizophrenia do not get enough fiber. Raspberries, pears, apples are some of the fruits that are loaded with fiber; it would hence be good to add that in the diet plan of a person with schizophrenia. Fiber-rich foods not only aid in digestion but they also help lower bad cholesterol in our body. Health problems like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes that are often associated with schizophrenia can be lowered with a diet that is rich in fiber.
• Vegetables: Vegetables need to be another staple in the diet of a person with schizophrenia, as vegetables are basically not just low in fat and calories but are also packed with fiber and other vitamins. Certain vegetables like lima beans, sweet potatoes, and kidney beans help maintain the blood sugar level in the body, which is very important when the person is schizophrenic.
• Fatty Fish: Omega-3 fatty acids help to slow down and prevent the symptoms of schizophrenia. But Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be produced by the body and it has to be obtained from the food that we consume. Tuna, salmon, and mackerel are rich sources of this acid and should hence be a part of the diet of a person with schizophrenia.
• Oysters and Crab: According to experts in the medical field, there may be a relationship between the levels of zinc in your body and schizophrenia. Seafood like oysters, lobsters, and crabs are exceptionally rich in zinc and thus need to be there in the diet plan of a schizophrenic.
• Spinach: Spinach is a green leafy vegetable that is rich in folate, which can help ease the symptoms of schizophrenia in a person. Spinach is thus a beneficial component in the diet of a person with schizophrenia.
• Liver: Liver is a rich source of iron or vitamin B12. Research suggests that people suffering from schizophrenia have low levels of B12 in their bodies and with a bit more B12 the symptoms of schizophrenia can be eased. Clams and trout are also good sources of this vitamin.