Dietary Tips For Healing Depression – Foods To Eat And To Avoid

Do you know that a good diet, containing the right blend of essential nutrients, plays an important role in preventing as well as treating depression?

Here, we discuss some important nutrients and useful foods to consume, as well as some foods you should try to avoid.

Some important nutrients include:

* B vitamins, in particular folic acid as well as vitamin B6 – these can be found in green leafy vegetables, beans, lentils, nuts, peanuts, whole grains, eggs, fish and poultry.

* Vitamin C – this vitamin is crucial for proper immune function and is found in many fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, bell peppers, tomatoes, blackcurrants, kiwi fruits as well as strawberries.

* Calcium – found in dark green leafy vegetables and dairy products in general.

* Potassium – our modern diets contain too much sodium and too little potassium, upsetting the internal balance. This mineral is found in avocadoes, beans, lentils, dried fruits, nuts, tomatoes, seeds, bananas, oranges, as well as wheat germ.

* Iron – found in dark green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, beef and sardines.

* Magnesium – a good mood lifter, this mineral can be found in beans, nuts, lentils, dried figs, whole grains, seeds, as well as wheat germ.

* Copper – nuts, mushrooms, liver, and cocoa contain this mineral.

* Zinc – this mineral is found in whole grains, eggs, poultry, nuts, seeds, shellfish, peanuts, as well as dairy products.

A good diet for depression is not only about what to eat, but also about what not to eat. Indeed, the wrong foods are not only nutritionally deficient, they contain a lot of undesirable substances and chemicals, clog up your system and make you feel sluggish, and even cause vital nutrients to be removed from your body.

Here are some foods to avoid:

* Deep fried foods and generally foods which are full of trans fats and saturated fats (virgin coconut oil being an exception).

* Sugary foods, especially those containing lots of refined sugars. These include candies, cookies, cakes, pastries, sugary beverages and other sweet snacks and foods.

* Too much caffeine should be avoided, as that can worsen depression. Limit yourself to, perhaps, two cups a day. Do not drink too close to bedtime, as that can affect your sleep.

* Too much alcohol is also bad for your system, and can negatively affect depression, too. Again, limit yourself to perhaps a small glass a day. Those with drinking problems should seek to avoid alcohol altogether.

* Avoid processed meats, like sausages, bacon, meat balls, etc – these contain high amounts of chemicals which are used as preservatives and to make the meat look fresh, and these substances are very harmful to health, including mental health.

* Avoid foods which are rich in chemical preservatives, colorings, flavorings and other additives.

Basically, you should consume good amounts of fresh, raw, organic fruits and vegetables – these can provide most of the essential vitamins and minerals which your body needs.

Learn more about diet and depression at HolisticDepressionHelp.com.

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