Six Foods that Fight Depression

You are what you eat, and this can even be applied to your frame of mind as well. While there may not be a diet that cures depression, what you eat can greatly affect your emotional resiliency and reaction to life’s stressors. Choosing high-nutritional value foods not only keep you physically healthy, but mentally sharp and emotionally much happier. Below we have some of our top picks for daily eats to help keep your mental and emotional well-being in check.

1. Dark, leafy greens are some of your best friends when it comes to all-around good-for-you food. Spinach, kale, and swiss chard are big winners when it comes to aiding your mental health. These inflammation fighting super-heroes are packed with vitamins A, C, E and K that will keep your brain healthy and happy.

2. Avocados are packers of the healthy fat your brain needs to run smoothly. Oleic acid is what you will get a heavy dose of when you eat an avocado as well as protein and a myriad of vitamins that will keep you in a good mindset no matter what comes your way.

3. Berries of any kind are chalk full of cell-repairing antioxidants from blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. Antioxidants are a big player in mental health because they repair damaged DNA which in kind can help keep feelings of depression in check.

4. Tomatoes contain folic acid and alpha-lipoic acid which are both proven depression fighters. Folic acid can prevent an excess of homocysteine which in turn if it gets out of hand can block neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Alpha-lipoic works as a mood stabilizer, helping to convert glucose into energy.

5. Seeds might be small but have mighty benefits for your mental health due to their Omega-3 content. Sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds and chia seeds are all good options for your mood and far better for you than potato chips when craving a salty snack.

6. Apples are another fruit high in antioxidants and fiber that will keep your blood sugar in check which keeps your mood in check. Pro-hack, pair your apples with some almond butter to add in omega-3 fatty acids to your already healthy snack.