Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by a loss of interest in activities, low mood, and loss of energy to perform normal tasks. Depression can affect all aspects of life, including a person’s food cravings. People with depression may crave simple carb-based foods, which don’t promote the production of serotonin, otherwise known as the “happy chemical”. Serotonin is a natural mood stabilizer chemical that is produced by nerve cells and affects every part of the human body.
While healthy eating is not necessarily a cure for depression, adding certain foods to your diet may help with your overall treatment. If you are not sure what foods to incorporate into your diet to improve your depression symptoms, read on for some helpful tips to increase your health.
- Eating foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in synthetic sugar, more commonly known as complex carbs, may increase your serotonin levels. Skipping the chips or cookies and opting for more fruits and vegetables can also help increase your energy and alleviate an eventual dreaded sugar crash.
- Foods that are high in protein can also give a serotonin boost – particularly turkey, chicken tuna, beans, and milk. Eating protein several times a day can also boot your immune system to prevent you from getting sick. Protein diets can also keep you feeling full longer, so you don’t get as many cravings for sugar later in the day.
- Those with depression may often have low Vitamin D. Eating diets richer in Vitamin D can improve your bone health and your muscles. Fish is a great source of Vitamin D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which help maintain healthy skin. Egg yolks, mushrooms and orange juice are also other great and tasty ways to increase your Vitamin D levels.
While eating healthy foods can’t cure depression without other lifestyle changes and treatment, it can improve your overall health and help make your treatment more effective.
Join a Clinical Trial with Preferred Research Partners
If you or someone you know is living with depression, consult a medical professional for guidance. Preferred Research Partners in Little Rock, Arkansas is currently enrolling individuals with depression for a clinical trial. You may be eligible to receive care at no cost to you and contribute to the advancement of medical research. Learn more today to see if you qualify!
- Eating foods that are high in carbohydrates and low in synthetic sugar, more commonly known as complex carbs, may increase your serotonin levels. Skipping the chips or cookies and opting for more fruits and vegetables can also help increase your energy and alleviate an eventual dreaded sugar crash.
- Foods that are high in protein can also give a serotonin boost – particularly turkey, chicken tuna, beans, and milk. Eating protein several times a day can also boot your immune system to prevent you from getting sick. Protein diets can also keep you feeling full longer, so you don’t get as many cravings for sugar later in the day.
- Those with depression may often have low Vitamin D. Eating diets richer in Vitamin D can improve your bone health and your muscles. Fish is a great source of Vitamin D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which help maintain healthy skin. Egg yolks, mushrooms and orange juice are also other great and tasty ways to increase your Vitamin D levels.
While eating healthy foods can’t cure depression without other lifestyle changes and treatment, it can improve your overall health and help make your treatment more effective.
Join a Clinical Trial with Preferred Research Partners
If you or someone you know is living with depression, consult a medical professional for guidance. Preferred Research Partners in Little Rock, Arkansas is currently enrolling individuals with depression for a clinical trial. You may be eligible to receive care at no cost to you and contribute to the advancement of medical research. Learn more today to see if you qualify!
