Foods to help Depression

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Replies

  • LuHox
    LuHox Posts: 136
    Are there any foods that naturally help with depression that are 'healthy' and very low calorie to help me stick to diet.

    I'm trying to to stick to low calorie and only fruit, veg, quorn or very lean meat/white fish but I've no energy and the tiniest thing makes me cry or makes me angry and feel depressed..then I need chocolate or alcohol/coke to boost my mood.

    Don't skip the healthy fats. They make you happy. Literally. I know you have to limit them to stay low-cal, but I've noticed a big improvement in my mood by making sure I get healthy fats from either fatty fish or plant sources (coconut, seeds, nuts, avocados...)

    If you feel like you're grumpy because you're hungry (hungry people are inherently grumpier. Lessons from working in food service, lol) make sure you have protein & fiber at every meal. Spread it throughout the day and don't let yourself get too hungry.
  • JenSD6
    JenSD6 Posts: 454 Member
    The Mediterranian diet is supposedly good for fighting depression, and I do find I feel good when I have a lot of salmon and other fish in my diet. Add to that sunshine and fresh air. Dog walks and a little gardening help me a lot to boost my mood. I also enjoy indulging in seasonal fruits and finding fun ways to eat them.
  • LuHox
    LuHox Posts: 136
    St John's Wort. Zero calories and totally natural. You can get it in tablet form or liquid. I used to put a couple of drops in my morning coffee as the liquid on it's own is pretty grim. I found it worked wonders! Available from all health food shops as well as some other places too.

    I just also want to point out that St John's Wort can reduce the effectiveness of bc pills so if you take them, be careful!

    And if no one has mentioned it, should not be mixed with prescription anti-depressants if you happen to take them b/c of the possibility of serious interactions.
  • DragonflyF15
    DragonflyF15 Posts: 437 Member
    Obviously stay away from unhealthy foods, and drinks. Exercise, healthy eating, a daily dose of no sunscreen sunshine really does wonders. So does walks and yoga. As for actual foods, I have found that foods high in magnesium (flax seed daily) and B vitamins, esp niacin/B3 really works wonders. Just try to find it through food sources rather than supplements if you can, cause niacin in supplement form is more than what you get from your Multi-vitamins can cause uncomfortable flushing. My friend swears by these two changes in diet that got her off Prozac even, however I'm not a doctor to recommend stop taking meds if you are on them. Hang in there! Depression can be hard to go through as many don't understand why you can't just snap out of it sometimes. >hugz<
  • peachfigs
    peachfigs Posts: 831 Member
    Cognitive therapy will help you more than any pill or diet will. Read Feeling Good - Dr David Burns. It's the best self help book out there.

    :smile: Stay strong!
  • wow29
    wow29 Posts: 283 Member
    bump
  • sleibo87
    sleibo87 Posts: 403 Member
    I would just eat as healthy and unprocessed as you can and get a Good workout in. That will release those happy cells into your brain and help you with depression. Exercise helps me with this a lot.
  • jnice2009
    jnice2009 Posts: 2 Member
    Not sure if you use them but I had read that artificial sweeteners such as splenda /equal I believe it is aspertain can cause depression, I stopped diet soda long ago, but was putting away a 1/2 gallon of crystal light in a evening....

    I stopped drinking so much and have seen a difference.

    http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/01/12/diet-drinks-artificial-sweetener-tied-to-greater-risk-of-depression/50327.html

    http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/avoid-artificial-sweeteners.htm
  • nolachick
    nolachick Posts: 3,278 Member
    bump
  • onwarddownward
    onwarddownward Posts: 1,683 Member
    Pick up the poop after the dogs defecate. One problem solved! And it gives you exercise.
  • Syriene
    Syriene Posts: 238
    Watch out for artificial sweeteners too, especially Aspertame. A few studies show it can cause anxiety- something you don't need.
  • shakybabe
    shakybabe Posts: 1,578 Member
    Not sure if you use them but I had read that artificial sweeteners such as splenda /equal I believe it is aspertain can cause depression, I stopped diet soda long ago, but was putting away a 1/2 gallon of crystal light in a evening....

    I stopped drinking so much and have seen a difference.

    http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/01/12/diet-drinks-artificial-sweetener-tied-to-greater-risk-of-depression/50327.html

    http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/avoid-artificial-sweeteners.htm

    I have been using canderel for years as I can't drink tea without sugar. I have recently switched to half spoon just for my sugar in tea and only have a tea in morning and before bed I try and drink water the rest of the day. It is easier to stick to water and salads when weather is hot but I'm in Yorkshire, UK and we tend to get more cold wet weather than hot sunny days!
  • shakybabe
    shakybabe Posts: 1,578 Member
    Pick up the poop after the dogs defecate. One problem solved! And it gives you exercise.

    I do pick up my dogs poo thanks very much!
  • elishazf
    elishazf Posts: 332 Member
    honestly the thing that's helped me the most with depression is my cheat days
  • Shadowknight137
    Shadowknight137 Posts: 1,243 Member
    Chocolate.

    I kid you not. Sit down with a mug of hot coffee and few squares (or whole bar, if you're me) of chocolate and read a nice book. Best feeling ever.
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    Pick up the poop after the dogs defecate. One problem solved! And it gives you exercise.

    I do pick up my dogs poo thanks very much!

    Never mind. I was going to say spray it with bleach or something.

    As for food, I will tell you something that would give my dietitian fits. I have gone back to having oatmeal for breakfast. I tried to stay off of it. But, what happened back in October I had nothing but oatmeal in my house so I made a bowl of it and it was pretty good, still not my favorite thing. But, I got to thinking I have this container of oatmeal I should finish it off. It took about 3 weeks and what I noticed was my mood improved so much. So it became my daily breakfast. I have a big bowl and it keeps me full for hours and happy as well. The dietitian I went to said to switch to a high protein breakfast I tried that for like 3 weeks and I felt horrible and I was taking in about 300 more calories a day, I would get full, but wouldn't stay full for as long. So, I am back on oatmeal and I am happier already.
  • lstockham39
    lstockham39 Posts: 26 Member
    bump

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