Depression-Fighting Foods

There are many foods that can help us fight against depression and anxiety. Learn what foods help with anxiety and depression today.

Depression is something that many people struggle with. In high school I had a terrible time with it. When I got to college, my depression was a little bit better, but my anxiety got dramatically worse.

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with taking anti-depressants if you are clinically depressed, but we also have a responsibility to take care of our bodies and work to improve our mental health.

Many times, if there is something in our health that we are struggling with, there will be some sort of food or mineral that can help us improve in that area. It probably won't be a cure-all, but it might help a lot! There are plenty of foods that help with depression and anxiety, but many people are unaware of which foods can help.

Want to learn about 3 types of food that can help you fight depression and anxiety? Keep reading!

Foods that Aid in Fighting Depression and Anxiety

• Foods high in antioxidants
• Complex carbs
• Foods high in Tyrosine

Foods Rich in Antioxidants Help Fight Depression and Anxiety

Antioxidants help fight off free-radicals, which often cause depression. 

Foods that are high in antioxidants include, but are not limited to:

• Broccoli
• Sweet Potatoes
• Carrots
• Spinach
• Nuts and Seeds
• Peppers
• Potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Kiwi
• Cantaloupe
• Grapefruit

Complex Carbs Help Fight Depression and Anxiety 

Contrary to popular belief, carbohydrates are not evil. Your body needs carbs to function properly. It all depends on what type of carbs are being consumed. Limit your cake, cookie and chip intake. Instead, go for whole grains, legumes, fruits and veggies. These all contain good (complex) carbs. Complex carbs raise the serotonin levels in your body, which produce a calming affect. Thank you, serotonin! Foods with high serotonin levels include: 

• Brown Rice
• Oatmeal
• Granola
• Whole-Grain Cereal
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Cashews (and almost any nut/seed)
• Eggs
• Yogurt
  
  

Foods High in Tyrosine Help Fight Depression and Anxiety

Tyrosine, like serotonin, is vital to the proper function of your brain and essential to maintaining it's chemical balance. Foods that are high in protein usually contain tyrosine. These include:

• Most fish (i.e. tuna, salmon, halibut, mackerel)
• Chicken
• Turkey
• Seaweed
• Cheese
• Eggs
• Quail
• Shrimp
  

Eating to Fight Against Depression and Anxiety

As a general rule, baked or broiled seafood, most vegetables, dairy, berries, and most nuts are great for people with depression and anxiety. This does not mean that if you eat a piece of salmon you will be magically healed, but if we know that these three types of food (along with others) might help us a little bit with our mental health, then it's worth a try, right?

Do you have certain foods that tend to make your feel better? Do you have a go-to, healthy food that calms you? Comment below and let me know!