15 Super Foods for Fighting Depression

After covering general home remedies for depression, we have decided to get more specific with the subject and talk about some of the best super foods for fighting depression. Studies show that roughly 19 million Americans suffer from depression and that it has become one of the most severe and frequent conditions in modern day society. Stress, abuse, anxiety, personal and financial problems are all common causes for depression, while symptoms include: sudden weight gain or weight loss, insomnia or oversleeping, lack of sexual appetite, negative or suicidal thoughts, and difficulties with normal activities. It can be a very painful and heartbreaking experience for anybody who undergoes these symptoms, but the good news is that hope is never lost for patients. There is a wide range of remedies available so you can cope with depression in a natural way. If you are wondering what foods are good for depression, you have come to the right place. Discover these 14 amazing super foods for fighting depression and start taking care of your body both inside and out. Please take note that if you ever feel your depressive symptoms getting out of hand you should immediately contact your doctor, or you can call the Depression Hotline at 1-888-771-5166.

superfoods-for-fighting-depression

1. Asparagus

An excellent healthy food for depression is asparagus. Research shows that a lack of vitamin B can result in depression; this delicious spring veggie is packed with vitamin B and vitamin C, so you are enjoying the delightful nutrients your body needs to fight off depression for good. Asparagus is also rich in fiber and essential for keeping blood pressure levels under control (a key element from preventing this condition). This is a great food for depression and anxiety, so consider adding more asparagus to your home cooked dishes to stay away from negative thoughts and feelings.

2. Spinach

When it comes to super foods for fighting depression, leafy greens are at the top of the list. While there are many varieties that you can choose from, we highly recommend spinach because it is a filled with nutrients like iron or magnesium. Both of these minerals are exceptional for boosting energy and keeping you hyped up in order to stay away from depression. Try to eat more spinach by using it as a salad ingredient or adding it to your hot meals.

3. Almonds

Speaking of magnesium, another amazing source and also one of the foods good for depression is almond.  Believe it or not, just 100 grams of almonds packs in a whopping 238 grams of magnesium, equivalent to 67% of your daily value. These super yummy nuts are one of the best super foods for fighting depression owing to this fact, and they will help keep that stress away and those levels of energy sky high. You can enjoy a bowl of almonds as a healthy snack and even mix them with your favorite low fat yogurt or choice of fruit.

4. Tomatoes

One of the best foods for depression is certainly represented by tomatoes. This bright delight will noticeably brighten your mood thanks to the lypocene antioxidant, known to be effective in battling depression. The Huffington Post cites a study carried out by the Medical University of Tianjin in which researches “found that people who ate tomatoes two to six times a week were 46% less likely to suffer from depression than those participants who only ate tomatoes once a week”.

5. Avocados

The high levels of omega-3 and folate in avocados make them an awesome choice of natural foods for depression. Even more so, specialists point out that avocado is filled with potassium and monounsaturated fats, which are both perfect for controlling your emotions. You can make a fantastic salad with avocado for consuming it more often. Alternatively, you can juice avocados or make a shake out of them.

6. Green Tea

In addition to foods for depression and anxiety, we also recommend a highly potent beverage for preventing, treating and recovering from this condition. Bursting with antioxidants and amino acids, green tea is one of our favorite choices for overcoming depression in a natural way. While green tea can be bought at almost any super market, we recommend that you brew your own lovely pot with fresh green tea leaves. If you feel that it’s too hot this summer to drink warm tea, you can allow the infusion to cool off and drink it that way.

7. Blueberries

While we can’t say that blueberries are the best food for depression (there really is no “one” solution for it), we totally agree that it is one of the most delicious and refreshing. Blueberries are quite rich in vitamin C, with 9.7 milligrams per 100 grams of blueberries. This amount is equivalent to 15% of the daily recommended value. Furthermore, blueberries are one of the greatest foods to eat for depression because they have lots of antioxidants that your body needs to stay happy. Eat a handful of fresh blueberries when you are feeling blue and watch how your mood improves.

8. Whole Grains

Aside from the fact that whole grains are an essential part of your daily diet (or should be, in any case), they are also wonderful foods for depression. Whole grains contain complex carbohydrates, which help give your body a serotonin boost to control mood swings that often come with depression. A few examples of whole grains are wild rice, quinoa, corn, brown rice, whole cornmeal or barley, just to mention a few.

9. Coconut

As an incredible super food on its own, coconut is a great choice for fighting off depression naturally. It contains an overwhelmingly impressive amount of healthy goodies, from fiber (36% of the recommended daily value), iron (13% DV), potassium (10%), protein (6% DV), Vitamin C (5%), Vitamin B-6 (5%) and a stunning amount of 30 grams of saturated fat in 100 grams of coconut (equivalent to 150% of the daily recommended amount). Moreover, coconuts contain powerful electrolytes that can help you in the battle against depression. Treat yourself to a piece of fresh coconut, a glass of coconut juice or use coconut oil in your meals to reap its benefits.

10. Eggs

One of the most common ingredients in American households is your secret weapon in the war of depression. As a lack of nutrients is a leading cause for feeling low and not having enough energy, eggs come in as a super cool source of protein, vitamin D, vitamin B-12, vitamin A, calcium, vitamin B-6, potassium and magnesium. Can you believe it? Decrease your levels of blood sugar by eating more eggs, no matter if you enjoy them sunny side up or scrambled.

11. Turkey

It does not have to be Thanksgiving for you to enjoy a hearty serving of turkey, especially if you find yourself in a depressive state of mind. What makes turkey so great in fighting depression? One word, seven letters: p-r-o-t-e-i-n. Just 100 grams of turkey supplies your body with 58% of its daily protein needs, with 39 grams of this nutrient. Also, turkey is a reliable source of vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, magnesium, iron and potassium. In an article for Everyday Health, life coach Robin H-C states that “turkey is the best food we know of because of its tryptophan content (…) this chemical stimulates serotonin production, which is a natural feel-good chemical your body produces”.

12. Cherries

If you are like me, your mouth will already start watering just at the thought of cherries. These heavenly fruits, besides from being incredibly yummy, serve as “wow” super foods for fighting depression. Remember what we said before about serotonin? Well you should know that cherries provide this natural compound for your body, as well as lots and lots of lovely antioxidants. You will be able to rest well, clear your thoughts and push out all of that negativity that had been pushing you towards depression and bad thoughts.

13. Skim Milk

Generally speaking, dairy products are super heroes for treating depression naturally, but we especially recommend skim milk. It is very accessible (both easy to find and inexpensive) and will fuel your body with the right amounts of protein, calcium and vitamin D to work properly and say good bye to depression. If you are not that much of a milk drinker, you can get your dose of the nutrients from yogurt or cheese (preferably low fat).

14. Fish

Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel have high numbers of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamins D3 and B, linked miraculously with many mental health impairments like anxiety and depression. It’s essential to switch the source you receive your omega-3, other sources include nuts and seeds. It is important to remember that eating the skin of oily fish will help your body digest it comfortably. 

15. Flax Seeds 

One ounce of flax seeds will enrich the body with over 6,300 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. Which, in comparison, is more than a fillet of salmon. Overall, it’s still vital to maintain a healthy diet; seeds are a great addition to any diet keeping a youthful glow

Honorable Mentions:

·        Bananas

·        Oranges

·        Dark Chocolate

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