Foods that combat depression?

SO much floating around out there on the net and trying to do a search gets so many ads and sites trying to sell stuff.

What foods do you find that help you combat depression while also not being calorie junk bombs?

My head is not where it needs to be - and I dont want to take drugs or resort to Dr. Ben and Dr. Jerry's approach of a pint of ice cream hahah

I know the exercise helps a great bit - but hopefully can find some foods to help as well.
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Replies

  • _Calypso_
    _Calypso_ Posts: 1,074 Member
    I don't know about foods, but St. Johns Wort is great.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    viagra mixed in soup?
  • BenjaminMFP88
    BenjaminMFP88 Posts: 660 Member
    There is evidence that suggests that Aspartame in diet soda can help depression :)
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet can help with some of the symptoms unless we are talking about clinical depression. Foods high in fats, like avocado, olive oil, nuts, etc. Sugars, like chocolate, fruits, oatmeal. And even proteins.

    One of my favorite breakfasts is scrambled eggs cooked with a tablespoon of olive oil and a small bowl of oatmeal with a bit of brown sugar and berries.
  • allisonrinkel
    allisonrinkel Posts: 224 Member
    There is evidence that suggests that Aspartame in diet soda can help depression :)
    I hope this is a joke :D
  • allisonrinkel
    allisonrinkel Posts: 224 Member
    I saw something once that Cashews were supposed to be helpful. I tried it. Not helpful!
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    There is evidence that suggests that Aspartame in diet soda can help depression :)
    I hope this is a joke :D

    Why would it be?
  • Carnivor0us
    Carnivor0us Posts: 1,752 Member
    Higher saturated fat intake, along with lots of omega-3s from animal sources.
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    Chocolate, rare ribeye steak, lobster with drawn butter, crystallized ginger, those things always cheer me up.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    A good ratio of protein, carbs, and fats
  • trudijoy
    trudijoy Posts: 1,685 Member
    whatever your fave food is.

    Seriously. Speaking from experience, getting through depression is about finding out what makes you happy and doing that (at least in part).

    Some things, like coffee and green apples, have been said to lift your mood, but for me, at least as far as diet goes, it was all about spoiling myself with my fave foods.

    You can do that within cals :)
  • BenjaminMFP88
    BenjaminMFP88 Posts: 660 Member
    There is evidence that suggests that Aspartame in diet soda can help depression :)
    I hope this is a joke :D

    Why would it be?

    Haha, mostly a joke yes. But seriously, Aspartame does contain AA Phenylalanine.

    "The body changes phenylalanine into tyrosine, another amino acid that's needed to make proteins, brain chemicals, including L-dopa, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, and thyroid hormones. Because norepinephrine affects mood, different forms of phenylalanine have been proposed to treat depression. Symptoms of phenylalanine deficiency include confusion, lack of energy, depression, decreased alertness, memory problems, and lack of appetite."

    http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/phenylalanine
  • jessspurr
    jessspurr Posts: 258 Member
    Whenever I am feeling down (for times during the day-not like a long term depression thing) I drink a V8. It has become kind of a joke around my office- like "oh there she goes with her V8 better stay away from her today!". I really find the blast of vitamins to be extremely uplifting! Probably a placebo, but I don't really care! Might be worth a shot for you!
  • bacitracin
    bacitracin Posts: 921 Member
    Cardio.
  • uconnwinsnc
    uconnwinsnc Posts: 1,054 Member
    Cheese, salt, butter, chocolate. Yum yum.


    Oh a serious note, if you are actually struggling with depression, no food is REALLY going to help.
  • cmeiron
    cmeiron Posts: 1,599 Member
    I don't know of any foods, but a vitamin D deficiency (which is super-common in the northern hemisphere) can affect mood, especially during the fall and winter. Try 4-5000 UI/day (it's a cheap supplement too, which is nice). Don't be afraid to get some bloodwork done and talk to your doc about it. Also, there's no shame in antidepressants. They can be a very helpful aid for some people.
  • Mustgetbuff
    Mustgetbuff Posts: 267 Member
    My doctor actually made three recommendations to me regarding this topic once: saffron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.

    It's not uncommon for people to start laughing uncontrollably after consuming too much saffron and has been used for years as a natural anti-depressant. The downside is it is one of the most expensive spices in the world, however my doctor mentioned that you can buy saffron pills which may be cheaper (I couldn't find any in Canada).

    Vitamin B12 also plays a part in regulating moods; usually this particular vitamin is found in animal products, such as milk, meat, eggs, fish, and poultry. Supplements are also available to combat B12 deficiencies, though high doses can interact with other medications and cause other concerns

    Lastly, vitamin D is notorious for causing the winter blues as it can only be absorbed from the sun. Deficiencies are usually caused by lack of direct sunlight, so people living far from the equator are encouraged to take a supplement during the winter months.
  • strawberries when i feel down :)
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Chocolate works for me. I still have depression, but it keeps me from cutting and/or attempting suicide.
  • BrainyBurro
    BrainyBurro Posts: 6,129 Member
    cauliflower.

    it's a magical food.
  • soy
  • cazzamartinek
    cazzamartinek Posts: 123 Member
    My doctor actually made three recommendations to me regarding this topic once: saffron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.

    It's not uncommon for people to start laughing uncontrollably after consuming too much saffron and has been used for years as a natural anti-depressant. The downside is it is one of the most expensive spices in the world, however my doctor mentioned that you can buy saffron pills which may be cheaper (I couldn't find any in Canada).

    Vitamin B12 also plays a part in regulating moods; usually this particular vitamin is found in animal products, such as milk, meat, eggs, fish, and poultry. Supplements are also available to combat B12 deficiencies, though high doses can interact with other medications and cause other concerns
  • Q_Suze
    Q_Suze Posts: 2 Member
    sleep? I use food to treat myself too, and when down want to turn to it (as I no longer drink) I agree, exercise helps. also things you like that are treats but not caloric.....long bath, curling up with a book, pedicure, lol-guys get them too! ok massage?
  • manny1991
    manny1991 Posts: 204 Member
    I find that I get pretty depressed during the winter months. I've recently started taking a vitamin d supplement and omega 3-6-9 everyday and am seeing definite improvement in my overall mood. Also I find I feel better after a workout :-) Also, try to get enough sleep!
  • cazzamartinek
    cazzamartinek Posts: 123 Member
    in agree with the post i put above from mustgetbuff wasnt sure how to then add my bit on anyway ..... A vit B12 deficency can cause depression low mood tiredness i use a suppliment made by vitabiotics called feroglobin it has iron B12 zinc and minerals in it and i find it really helps, could you get your bloods checked at the dr to check your B12 levels hope this helps im only going by my own experience but it may be worth a try :smile:
  • Turmeric! Seriously I sprinkle it on all my foods and its been found to have the same efficiency as Prozac minus the side effects :) Here is a link..

    http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/groundbreaking-study-finds-turmeric-extract-superior-prozac-depression

    you can probably find it elsewhere on google too WebMD says its good to prevent alzheimers too.
  • Fullsterkur_woman
    Fullsterkur_woman Posts: 2,712 Member
    Everybody's different when it comes to managing depression. Of course you want to get checked for any nutritional/vitamin/mineral deficiencies and address those. Starchy carbs are important to keep my brain chemistry balanced, so I accept that it is more difficult for me to get into a calorie deficit than if I could give those up. I consider them like medicine, so they're non-negotiable. And I also require myself to get a certain minimum of protein (rather a good deal more than most people, because I do a lot of weight training) and fats too, so there's really nothing left to cut safely.

    Me personally, I have to go guns blazing to combat my depression. It's mild, but it's just stubborn. In the shorter-days part of the year, I use a HappyLite in the morning to combat SAD. For my regular depression, I take an anti-depressant, fish oil, vitamin D, zinc, vitamin E and a multi-vitamin. Oh, and I've been working regularly with a counselor for years. It really helps you learn how to make your behavior more constructive and appropriate, rather than indulging in the behavior that depression inspires (which is basically no activity, of course).

    And, of course, mind/body work, like weekly yoga and cardio, and I lift four times a week. I engage in activities I love, like taking classes outside of work, laughing with my husband, watching movies, volunteering, and petting my cats (big-time anti-depressant!). Adequate sleep is also important, and I'm still trying to get that part nailed down. :embarassed:

    As you may know, depression causes all bodily processes to slooooowwww down, including your metabolism, so my weight loss efforts take longer than people's who don't have depression. I just accept that fact and keep plugging away. So all of the above-mentioned strategies are designed to keep me stimulated, active, and engaged with my own life.

    It may sound like a lot of work, but it really just becomes second nature, like checking your blood sugar for a diabetic. And since there's no real acceptable alternative, you learn to accept that it's what you need to do to keep on keepin' on!
  • nomeejerome
    nomeejerome Posts: 2,616 Member
    SO much floating around out there on the net and trying to do a search gets so many ads and sites trying to sell stuff.

    What foods do you find that help you combat depression while also not being calorie junk bombs?

    My head is not where it needs to be - and I dont want to take drugs or resort to Dr. Ben and Dr. Jerry's approach of a pint of ice cream hahah

    I know the exercise helps a great bit - but hopefully can find some foods to help as well.

    Honestly, nobody is going to be able to give you a straight answer that will apply to you because we are not aware of your history, symptoms and current state. However, if it is true clinical depression, there are no foods that will help get "your head where it needs to be" and "combat depression." Situational and mild forms of depression can be treated with lifestyle and behavioral changes, but there is no magic food that will treat all of the symptoms. You mentioned that you do not want to take drugs, but it could be a temporary option until you learn new behavioral skills.
  • Fuzzipeg
    Fuzzipeg Posts: 2,301 Member
    For some people reducing the level of salicylate in their systems can help with low moods etc.

    All the best