Crunching His Way to Calm: How Andy the “Anxious” Aardvark Triumphs Over Anxiety With Almonds
- Bruce Schutter
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Andy the “Anxious” Aardvark had tried everything to calm his racing mind.
Breathing exercises. Counting backward from 100. Reorganizing his sock drawer alphabetically (which, yes, is as pointless as it sounds). But no matter what he did, anxiety always managed to sneak in — especially before work, after lunch and literally any time someone said, “Let’s talk.”
That’s when Marvin the Mental Health Warrior Cat handed him a copy of Mind Fuel for a Mental Health Warrior and said, “Mindset alone won’t cut it, Andy — you need a snack strategy.”
Andy blinked. “Wait… you’re saying food can actually help my mental health?”
“Not just any food,” Marvin purred. “Warrior foods — like almonds.”
The Warrior Path
Now, I got a bit ahead of myself. Marvin and Andy became Mental Health Warriors the day they heard my story — how I struggled for 20 years with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD from my time as an EMT in high school and college. Those struggles left me feeling so powerless that I tried to end my life.
But in that dark moment, I discovered something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
Armed with that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge. So you can take control of your emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life you really want.
And a powerful part of the program is the connection between food and mental health — how Warriors, like Andy, use Mind Fuel to steady emotions, build resilience and triumph over their challenges every day.
Almonds: Andy’s Mental Health MVP
According to the book, almonds aren’t just tasty — they’re tiny anxiety-fighting powerhouses. They’re packed with magnesium (nature’s anti-anxiety mineral), vitamin E (brain cell bodyguard), and healthy fats that keep you full, focused and less likely to spiral just because someone raised an eyebrow at you in a meeting.
Andy read the chapter on almonds three times. Then he ate six almonds, puffed out his chest and declared himself a snack-fueled superhero.
Here are three ways he uses them today — with full Mental Health Warrior flair.
1. Pre-Meeting Crunch: Turning Dread into Calm
Andy used to dread Zoom calls. His paws would sweat. His thoughts would race. He’d mute himself, then unmute, then panic-mute again. He once introduced himself as, “Anxious Aardvark — I mean, Andy.”
Now? He shows up Almond-Powered.
Fifteen minutes before any meeting, Andy snacks on a handful of raw almonds. He focuses on the crunch. It grounds him. He repeats his go-to mantra: “I’m calm. I’m capable. And my camera is off, right?”
The magnesium kicks in, his energy stabilizes and suddenly he’s not just surviving the meeting — he’s actually participating!
Our Turn:
Before a stressful meeting, eat a few almonds — chew slowly, breathe deeply.
This works because the crunch gives your mind a sensory anchor, while the nutrients reduce anxiety and support mental focus — without caffeine or chaos.
I’ve used this myself. Back when I first started sharing my story publicly, I’d snack on almonds before Zoom interviews. Instead of spiraling with nerves, I felt steady enough to talk openly. One small snack became a Warrior ritual that helped me show up with courage.
2. Lunchtime Reset: From Spiral to Stability
Andy used to eat lunch like he was in a race — usually something sugary, carby, or straight out of a vending machine. Thirty minutes later? Crash. Spiral. Existential dread.
But now, he builds what he calls a “Warrior Bowl.” His favorite: spinach, quinoa, grilled chicken, a sprinkle of feta, and a handful of sliced almonds.
The almonds add texture, protein, and emotional balance — yes, emotional balance. It’s in the book. Look it up.
He finishes lunch and feels grounded, not groggy. Ready to face the afternoon — not Google, “Do aardvarks need mental health help?”
Our Turn:
Toss sliced almonds into your salad, stir-fry, or wrap.
This works because almonds’ healthy fats and protein keep blood sugar stable, which helps keep mood stable — turning your lunch from chaos fuel to calm fuel.
I use this too. When I swapped out heavy, carb-loaded lunches for Warrior Bowls with almonds, I noticed my afternoons changed. Instead of fighting brain fog and irritability, I had steady energy to write, coach and keep showing up as a Mental Health Warrior.
3. Snack Attack Strategy: From Panic to Power
Andy still gets anxious. (He’s a Warrior, not a wizard.)
But when that 3 p.m. panic hits, he no longer grabs a sugary granola bar and regrets his life choices. Instead, he reaches for his homemade Dark Chocolate Almond Bites — just a few almonds coated in melted dark chocolate and chilled.
It’s his “calm candy.” A treat that tastes indulgent, fuels his brain, and reminds him: “I can enjoy things and still support my mental health.”
Our Turn:
Make a batch of dark chocolate almond bites, or carry a small portion of roasted almonds with sea salt as an emergency Warrior snack.
This works because it satisfies cravings and supports cognitive function — so you snack smart instead of stress-eat and spiral.
I’ve done this myself. In my early recovery, afternoons were danger zones — I’d reach for quick sugar to numb the stress. When I switched to almonds (sometimes with a square of dark chocolate), it didn’t just calm the craving — it reminded me I could make small choices that supported my mental health instead of sabotaging it. That shift gave me back control.
Deep Dive into Power of Almonds
Now, Andy wanted more info (he’s the kind of aardvark who reads food labels for fun).
So we did a quick deep dive into why almonds work — and why they’ve earned their Warrior status:
Magnesium → Regulates stress response and stabilizes mood
Vitamin E → Antioxidant support for brain function and long-term clarity
Healthy Fats + Protein → Keeps you full and focused so you’re not chasing sugar or snapping at coworkers
Simplicity → No cooking required, just grab, crunch, and chill
That may be a bit in-depth, but Warriors like knowing what fuels them. And at the end of the day, the rule is simple: enjoy the almonds, enjoy the strength!
Wrap Up
“I used to think mental health was only in my head,” Andy says, popping a roasted almond and nodding solemnly. “But it’s also in your pantry.”
He holds up his copy of Mind Fuel for a Mental Health Warrior, smiles, and adds: “I still get anxious. But now I’ve got snacks, a plan, and yes — almond breath. And honestly? That’s progress.”
So, if anxiety has been calling the shots, it’s time to snack smarter. Grab a copy of Mind Fuel for a Mental Health Warrior and learn how to turn simple foods — like almonds — into powerful allies for your mental health.
Because sometimes, the best way to quiet your mind… is with a Warrior crunch! ⚔️🥜
Bruce Schutter
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
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