While there is no single diet hack to beat depression, there are some brain foods that lift moods and contribute to overall mental well-being. As tempting as it is to reach out for a tub of  ice-cream when you’re feeling low, resist the urge and go for foods that contain:

 

1. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Flax and Chia seeds, Soybeans and Fish have proven to be useful for brain development and helps reduce the effects of depression. It’s called the ultimate brain food for a reason!

 

2. Selenium
Many studies have linked depression to low selenium content in the body. Cod, Brazilian Nuts, Walnuts and Poultry give us the rich mineral content we need and the antioxidants in them help fight depression.

 

3. Greens
The importance of Kale, Spinach and other greens in a diet cannot be emphasized enough! They are the most nutrient-rich foods around. Popularly termed “Super foods”, they boost immunity and contain a number of vitamins. These vitamins appear to have the ability to reduce the high levels of homo-cysteine (an amino acid) associated with depression.

 

Adding these foods to your diet is important, but don’t forget to get the basics in place first:

 

1. Drink lots of water
Not drinking enough water can cause a chemical imbalance. Ideally, people should drink at least one and a half litres of water a day. Ensuring you have a few extra glasses of water helps keep depression at bay.

 

2. Reduce the sugar
Sugar spikes your mood and gives you a temporary high, but results in an inevitable crash when the results wear off. A roller coaster of highs and lows is always bad news for the brain.

 

3. Eat regularly
A good diet is not just about what you eat but also when you eat. Make sure you’re eating at regular intervals. Our body and brain needs this regular dose of nutrients and energy!

 

 

And remember, Nutritional Balance = Emotional Balance!