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Natural Foods for Depression

If you are like most people, you turn to your favorite comfort food when you are feeling depressed. The problem is that most comfort foods do not really do much to make us feel better, and they might contribute to excessive weight gain, which could lead to more depression. Try to avoid sugary processed foods when you are feeling down and instead eat natural foods for depression that help you relieve your symptoms and have a positive effect on your waistline.

  1. Foods with B Vitamins

    • Some types of depression are thought to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that do not allow your nerve cells to communicate correctly. B vitamins can help your neurotransmitters to function at a high level and improve nerve cell communication. Try eating broccoli, bananas, spinach, peas, pinto beans, asparagus, cauliflower, onions, squash and brussels sprouts.

    Eat Foods with Phenylalanine

    • The University of Maryland Medical Center reports some clinical evidence that phenylalanine may be effective as part of a comprehensive therapy for depression because of enhanced production of brain chemicals, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Some foods containing phenylalanine include sunflower seeds, soybeans, black beans, dairy products, meat products and eggs.

    Omega-3 Fatty Acids

    • According to a recent report on ABC, researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have been doing studies on the effects of fish oil on depression. So far the results have been positive. The study was started because scientists noticed that countries whose population ate a lot of fish had very low levels of depression. It specifically looked at omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil and other foods. Foods that contain these helpful omega-3s include salmon, tuna, walnuts, flaxseeds, acai berries and soybeans.

    Spices

    • When cooking your food, add some spices to help fight depression naturally.These can include ginger and rosemary. Ginger is one of those old folk remedies used to treat depression. While there may not be many scientific studies, years of tradition say that it is useful. Rosemary does contain cineole, proven to help stimulate the central nervous system, which could help depression symptoms.
      Make some ginger tea, which can be found in many grocery stores in the health food section, or rosemary salmon (remember those omega-3s) to help your depression.

    Eat Foods with Tryptophan

    • Tryptophan helps our bodies produce serotonin. A lack of serotonin has been shown to cause both sleep problems and depression. To get more tryptophan in your system eat turkey, chicken, tuna, salmon, peanuts, soy products, dark chocolate, sunflower seeds, eggs and milk products.

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