What foods help fight depression?

I'm currently suffering from depression and I have turned back towards the foods that I know I cannot eat because I find them comforting as well as turning back to the bottle.  I had a really productive summer but since fall has come around and alot of "stuff" has gone down in my life I seem to have returned back to my old ways and its destroying me...I don't like it one bit...anyways what Im trying to say is what foods helps fight depression?

 

THanks.

 There are lots of good websites with depression fighting foods.  Like this one I hope it helps!

My doctor told me most refined carbs CONTRIBUTE to depression, so don't go eating a huge bowl of pasta if you are already feeling bad.

Personally, something cold, juicy and crunchy always makes me feel good for a while after eating it.

Heavy foods make me feel sleepy therefore also might be worth avoiding in the middle of the day.

If you are drinking ETOH-- this will defeat any eating to fight depression. Alcohol is the orst depressant you can consume.  Sure it makes us feel good while we are doing it but the after effects are what you are trying to avoid- so the only thing I can suggest is go to AA and quit drinking.

Umm, since the fall is coming I have also thought about this alot.

Fish oil (omega 3) is supposed to help.

I think Vitamin d is also supposed to be good.

I think that simple carbs are bad and do contribute to feeling bad if you are already that way inclined. (at least for me there is a really definate correlation there, if not causation)

Walking in the day time outside is supposed to help, both in general for depression and especially if it is more due to "winter blues" type depression.

Try this book: "Potatoes not Prozac" by Kathleen DesMaisons, PhD. I have it myself. 

Original Post by jane3001:

Umm, since the fall is coming I have also thought about this alot.

Walking in the day time outside is supposed to help, both in general for depression and especially if it is more due to "winter blues" type depression.

 There is a certain kind of depression that occurs for some folks while the daylight hours are less -- can't remember the name - but its why people feel depressed around the "holidays" its not really due to the Holiday but the fact that your body needs extra natural sunlight. So I think the above suggestion is very good-- get outside and get some sunshine.

bananas!

It's called SAD- Seasonal Affective Disorder

The Mayo Clinic Website has some nice, informative articles on depression. This one gives 12 tips for coping with depression ...  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stress/MH000 30

This Mayo Clinic article discusses fish oil and depression ...  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fish-oil-sup plements/AN01399

This Mayo Clinic article discusses caffeine and depression ... http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine-and -depression/AN01700

This Mayo Clinic article discusses Vitamin B-12 and depression ...  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-b12- and-depression/AN01543

This Mayo Clinic article discusses exercise and depression ... http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-a nd-exercise/MH00043

=^..^= MOLLY

 

 

this may seem off topic, because I do not know of any foods that may work besides that ones that already mentioned. But what worked like magic for is is EXERCISE. 

Here (Holland) doctors begin te prescribe workouts for depressed people (not the clinically depressed people who really need meds, but the "lightly" depressed people).

It keeps me off the meds as long as I exercise.

Jolanda

As one who has been in your shoes and who sometimes still has episodes, I can say that other than SSRIs and exercise, there is one thing that I think works for me.

Oils. But not just any.

Omega 3's found in fresh fish like salmon as well as in those not so tasty "cod liver oil" supplements you see in the drug/grocery stores. I'd also look into plant based Omega 3's like Flaxseed/Borage, etc.

I take a tablespoon of Flaxseed in the morning (or at some time during the day with food - usually plain yogurt). This comes in a bottle.

I also take several capsules of "fish oil" - usually it is the cod liver oil I speak about above.

Do a search for "Omega 3 and Depression" and you'll get a lot of literature. Some say it works. Some say it doesn't. But all in all the literature says taking these things are good for other body processes.

Lastly, I find that of all exercises, intensive weight training helps me out the most.  It is a great place to channel anger

 

You mentioned going back to the bottle, so I am just asking: is it depression or alcoholism?  I used to think I was depressed but come to find out all I was was an alcoholic.  If you have trouble with alcohol, which is a depressant, or if you just have trouble staying away from alcohol, try AA and they can help you.  When I am sad and down food either comforts me or I go without. Go back to organic and whole food, like almond butter, wheat bread, fruits, and vegetables.  Treat your body well and it will respond.  But for me, once I evened out spiritually, I evened out mentally and physcially.  Hopefully that helps.

I am suffering from depression as well. I have yet to come out with it in the real world, but it is something tha stays with you. Sometimes when I drink coffee I feel better.  Sometimes us silent suferer's use everything an anything to make it feel better. I don't have much advice since I am still in it, but I am here if ya need to talk.

The foods mentioned sound good, but I have to agree with jcbolt. Exercise is a great method.

I also suffer from depression and anxiety and never believed that exercise would actually help cope with it. However, since I started dieting and exercising more, I've found that a trip to the gym has lifted my anxious feelings every time I go.

Just something to think about...

I appreciate all the advice/info that you have sent me...and I guess I should have phrased "going back to the bottle" better...alcoholism is not what I meant....i mean back in may, June, and July....I didnt drink (socially...at all, which I used to do all the time) just now I have started to drink socially again, but I have slowed down/ almost stopped in the last week so hopefully things are starting to turn around..