5 foods that might help you fight depression according to a nutritionist

Eating right is a prerequisite for a healthy body as well as mind. And if depression is pinning you down then try these five expert recommended foods to keep your mental health in check.
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Are you ignoring a conflict? Image courtesy: Shutterstock.
IANS Updated: 12 May 2021, 12:58 pm IST
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Mostly, we tend to ignore the signs of depression either due to lack of time or awareness. On the flip side, there are times when we think that if we are crying our heart out or eating like a maniac then we might be on the onset of depression. Well, before you pass any judgment we would recommend that you go to a doctor and learn what’s up with you the right way. 

What we can tell you is that due to our hectic lifestyle we don’t pay much heed to what we eat. Due to poor time management, we jump on to anything and everything that comes our way.

In fact, we also take our “being overweight” status for granted. But do you know that even experts admit that if you eat right then not just your physical health but your mental will be in check too?

That’s why we have got Dr Shikha Mahajan, holistic nutritionist and the founder of Diet Podium to point out some foods that might help fight depression.

Here are five foods that you incorporate in your daily diet that will help you beat the depression blues 

1. Walnuts for the win
They look like our brains and protects it the best too. When consumed in moderation, most nuts are great sources of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats as well as protein.

walnuts
Walnuts are a powerhouse of nutrients. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

But walnuts have the edge when it comes to curing the symptoms of depression because they are one of the finest plant-based sources of Omega-3 fatty acids as well. These Omega-3 in walnuts helps to maintain overall brain health.

2. Whole grains for your overall mental well-being
While searching for foods that counter depression, look for the healthy, high-fiber carbohydrates present in whole grains. Complex carbohydrates help to improve mood rapidly. This includes Whole grains like brown rice, barley, sweet potatoes, and amaranth are all good choices. They assist the body release serotonin.

Also, if you want to lose weight then indulging in these grains can fetch you awemazing results.

3. Take turmeric every day to fight depression
We are well versed about the endless list of benefits that turmeric has to offer – and fighting depression is one of them.

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If you are feeling depressed, this wonderful spice found in several Indian and other Asian dishes is an excellent way to boost your mood, just like that. Turmeric can also be considered as one of the spices of life due to its profound anti-inflammatory activity.

Turmeric has the active compounds turmerones and curcuminoids – that have been linked with a broad range of health benefits.

4. Not just your weight but green tea can also keep your mental health in check
Green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants, but its depression countering qualities can be traced to an amino acid called theanine.

benefits of drinking green tea
Beat the mental health blues with a cup of green tea. Image courtesy: Shutterstock.

Theanine is an amino acid naturally present in tea leaves that give an anti-stress relaxation benefit to those who consume tea. The availability of theanine in green tea is known to be responsible for the investigation that caffeine consumption in coffee drinkers who are not availing theanine is more fitting to result in tension as against to the relaxed awareness more common to tea consumers.

Want to know which tea variant is best for you? Then take this quiz and we will tell you which tea you must sip on right now

5. Go for dairy products which are low in fat content
Low-fat dairy products such as skim milk, yogurt, low-fat paneer, and others are high in calcium, vitamin D, and protein. Those are good for your body for various reasons, including countering depression.

Low-fat dairy is the best dietary source of two powerhouse nutrients, calcium, and vitamin D, and also for specific peptides (proteins) that brings a sense of well-being and relaxation.

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