Foods that combat depression?

soy

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?

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

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!

For some people reducing the level of salicylate in their systems can help with low moods etc.

All the best

You mentioned that you do not want to take drugs, but it could be a temporary option until you learn new behavioral skills.

Oh, I must have missed that in the OP; mark down poor concentration as another of my symptoms!

Yeah, I remember being adamant that I was going to treat my depression with diet and exercise and not wanting to take drugs, because they would change my personality... "Hello?!?! Fullsterkur_woman?! Your personality is messed up; that's why you're in need of intervention to begin with!" Oh. Doi! Yep, ok, it seems logical to give it a try. That was something like a dozen years ago, and I can honestly say that I have never had any suicidal thoughts since then. Again, though, drugs alone without therapy won't get the job done; you need to learn new behaviors that aren't self-destructive.

Personally there is no food that helps me with my depression but eating right and exercising gives me an overall sense of well being. That and sleeping well. Therapy and medication. I wish it were as simple for me as eating a certain food.

herbal teas. I just light a candle, make some hot herbal tea and kind of relax. As far as foods, fruit usually boosts my mood. Especially grapes. 150g is around 100 calories. It's not a low sugar fruit by any means though so if you're watching sugar, just be aware of that. I love them/don't care about sugar at all so I indulge quite a bit on grapes.

Are you undergoing any other treatments for depression, or is it just the tea, candles and grapes?

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.

I agree completely with this statement.

If you are not interested in medication, at least consider therapy. Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Sunlight/light therapy, Exercise, and the other tricks and tips that you may have read about or that are being recommended here can help mild depression to some extent, but they are not substitutes for professional help.

Good luck.

Ricks Picks - esp. the Mean Beans. They're super delicious, not too high in salt, and you can drop an entire jar in minutes without regret. Did I mention that they are scrumptious?! -- best to fight the doldrums with food that tastes good