In this article, we will focus on those foods that can cause depression. We will also tell you about the products with which you can get rid of it. With the advent of rainy days, some people start to get depressed. The human body, after warm days, cannot get used to cold weather. But not only bad weather affects our well-being, very often the cause of depression is the foods we eat. These include: sugar and sweeteners, coffee, as well as red meat, if consumed a lot.
Everyone has long known that drinking coffee in large quantities is unhealthy; it directly affects the heart. And if you consume it a lot, for example, four cups a day or more, then the body begins to get used to this drink, and you become addicted to it. But, if a person is deprived of the usual daily norm of coffee, then he has a feeling of overwhelm and this leads to the so-called "coffee depression". To get rid of addiction, you need to try to accustom the body to drinking no more than two cups a day and take a break from drinking it.
If a person is in a bad mood, then very often you want to eat some sweets. If the body requires sugar, but does not receive it, then this leads to general fatigue and worsens depression. Sweets can be addictive. This is because the body produces a lot of insulin to process sugar. And after the final processing, he immediately begins to demand a new portion, but if he has not received it, then the person's mood drops sharply.
If you often and in large quantities eat red meat, for example, lamb, beef or pork, then it in your stomach does not have time to completely digest. Due to the fact that such food is not digested, it accumulates in the intestines and the decomposition process begins, where poisons and toxins are released. They are absorbed into the bloodstream and affect the functioning of the nervous system. This leads to fatigue, nervousness, which subsequently causes depression. But, not only foods can cause depression, it is also influenced by dietary habits. For example, when you are on a diet for a long time and eat the same foods that you have already become boring, then this can lead to fatigue and poor mood. To avoid this, you need to choose a diet of your favorite foods. And, in general, nutritionists do not recommend going on a diet during the colder months.
Foods to help you overcome depression
Not all foods lead to depression, and there are those that help fight it. These products contain substances with the help of which the hormone of joy is produced and they help to overcome depression.
- A good food antidepressant is dark chocolate. Compared to other chocolates, such as white or milk chocolate, it has a greater calming effect. You need to indulge yourself with dark chocolate more often and then depression will not be scary.
- Almonds fight depression well. It contains magnesium and vitamins E, B 2, with the help of which the hormone serotonin is produced, which is responsible for a good mood. But, we must remember that almonds contain a lot of calories, and those who are struggling with excess weight should take this into account.
- Seafood contains many beneficial vitamins, phosphorus, zinc and due to its rich content, they are excellent antidepressants. Vitamin E works well for bad moods. If possible, you should consume seaweed and trout more often.
- Broccoli cabbage contains useful elements such as calcium, iodine, potassium, sodium, etc. It cleanses the body of toxins well and helps relieve emotional stress and stress. It also contains almost all the B vitamins that are responsible for a good mood.
- Bananas help fight depression. With the help of folic acid, they deal well with stress and poor health. In addition, bananas contain natural sugars such as glucose, fructose and sucrose. Eating these fruits for depression, a person instantly feels a surge of strength and energy. It has been proven that they have a positive effect on the human psyche. There have been many studies that have shown that due to the huge content of vitamin B, they help to calm the nervous system.
- Everyone has long known that oatmeal is good for raising serotonin levels. It contains many vitamins and microelements necessary for the body. Eating oatmeal for breakfast is great because it will energize you all day. Nutritionists advise choosing larger oatmeal because it contains complex carbohydrates. Due to the fact that they are absorbed for a long time, they are considered an excellent source of energy.
- When the season comes for berries such as wild strawberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, then if possible, you need to consume them as much as possible. It is in them, in large quantities, that useful trace elements are contained. For example, blueberries are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. All of these components play an important role in human mental health. Another indispensable product for depression is strawberries. In addition to its anti-stress effect, it is also great for insomnia and fatigue.
- Also, in the fight against depression, I help to fight foods of red, yellow, orange colors. You need to try to consume more oranges, tangerines, carrots, pineapples, they are very healthy and low-calorie, and also do not harm your figure. And you also need to remember about foods that are rich in magnesium and vitamin B6 - these are nuts, bananas, watermelons. They are very useful in that they are good at reducing anxiety and normalizing your sleep.
Diet for depression
- It is good to eat cereals, dairy products, fruits for breakfast.
- You should eat often, five or six times a day, but in small portions.
- You need to eat at the same hour. This improves digestion and keeps blood sugar levels normal. If sugar is normal, then the nervous system will work without failures.
- The presence of fats in the body should be no more than a quarter of all food that we eat per day.
- We must try to consume more carbohydrates, cereals, vitamins. In case of depression, increase the intake of vitamin B6. It contains bananas, avocados, potatoes, rolled oats, chicken fillet.
- You need to drink plenty of water, at least six glasses a day. Also, in addition to water, it will be useful to drink green tea. It is known to contain many antioxidants that have a calming effect. It also contains a small amount of caffeine, which additionally contributes to good mood and vitality.
- It is very important to consume foods that are rich in protein for depression. After all, they are the ones that improve brain function. Thanks to the fact that the brain will work actively, a person will feel better. Among the main foods that contain protein are tuna, chicken and turkey.
- In case of depression, especially seasonal depression, drinking fresh herbs will be good. They are recommended to be consumed 2-3 times a week. For example, you can make a green smoothie that will not only improve your mood, but also replenish your body's supply of healthy vitamins.
- To improve your mood, you must not only adhere to a certain diet, but also completely exclude sausages, sweets, fried and too salty foods, soda and alcohol from your diet. It has also been proven that starch is a particularly "dangerous" product for depression. It belongs to an easily digestible carbohydrate that provokes a large adrenaline rush. This, in turn, causes feelings of fatigue and weakness. Therefore, it is worth abandoning those products that contain this component. Among them are: potatoes, some varieties of flour and corn.
- If the recommended foods do not help to overcome depression, you need to take the appropriate medication. Only a specialist can assign them.
People who suffer from depression should carefully monitor their diet, because the treatment of this disease is comprehensive, and all the points that may affect their condition should be taken into account.
Before seeking help from doctors, you need to use these tips. But, if after eating the right products, no changes occur, but on the contrary your condition worsens, then you should definitely contact a specialist. After all, it may be that a mild form of depression has already passed into a severe one and it needs to be urgently treated.
For more information on what foods can help you get rid of depression, see this video:
