How to Fight Depression with Nutrition
Depression can be fought in part,
with food. The vitamins you are looking for are B12, B6 and Omega3. These vitamins correlate to another enzyme that helps your brain produce
serotonin. Depression, no matter the cause, is a temporary or chronic
production of low-levels of serotonin. When your serotonin levels are too
low, it is hard to enjoy life, be it a moment of sun in the middle of winter or
a sea breeze in the summer--it’s significance simply does not register with
you. You can’t be happy about it, because you can’t turn up the
production of serotonin required to feel happy.
Get
the Right Vitamins
If your depression led you to eat
the wrong foods and you are looking to lose weight as well as fight depression,
it is actually very simple to integrate the two nutrient requirements for these
efforts.
Eat Small Meals, But More Often - Actually, Drink Raw Smoothies!
First, rather than three meals a day, you want six. All of your “meals” should be no larger than a snack. Start your morning with a smoothie. See that hazelnuts are on the list for depression? You can purchase hazel nut milk; use that in the place of your almond milk for a smoothie. Hazelnuts are a bit sweeter than almonds, but very tasty.
For your morning snack, try a fruit salad that contains berries and fresh fruit, or try a berry muffin made with whole grains or oats. For lunch, try a tuna-avocado guacamole in a lettuce wrap. Have mixed nuts with dried fruit, and add just a few chocolate-covered M&M’s to fight that sweet craving. But eat your entire portion of nuts and fruit. Then, for dinner, try a quinoa stuffed bell pepper.
The Benefits of Quinoa and Tarts
Quinoa is a grain with complex proteins, so it makes a good meat substitute. Add spinach, tomatoes and olives, into the quinoa and cook per directions. If your directions call for vegetable oil, use olive oil. For desert, try a fruit tart on a nutty vegan crust. Vegan crusts omit dairy, but maximizes protein. You can build crusts out of the very nuts that will help you obtain the needed levels of omega3 and B6.
Find
the Right Recipes
However, do make sure that you eat fish a few times a week. Also, make turkey your primary meat. Remember meat and eggs are not the only source of protein available to you. In fact, nuts, grains, and soy products are better for you. So use them liberally, and be certain to keep your portions consistent.
Planning out your meals can be fun. Turn menu
making into a creative exercise and structure your meals like a puzzle.
You’ll be amazed how many dishes you can make out of the aforementioned
suggested meats, nuts, fruits and veggies. Step outside your usual meal
routine, and experiment with the many recipes that are out there on the
internet.
(*) Reference:
- Tryptophan in Turkeys - http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression-pictures/8-foods-that-fight-depression.aspx#/slide-2
(C) 2014 OmniBlender.COM LLC