Effectively dealing with depression involves more than simply taking medication. Often, making lifestyle changes in diet can also have a profound effect on the recovery process. If you are dealing with mild to moderate depression, here are some tips on how to craft a simple but effective diet for depression and move toward regaining your emotional equilibrium.
The connection between diet and depression involves knowing which foods to avoid and which foods to include in each meal. Eating a balanced diet that is lower in cholesterol and high in nutrients and vitamins will take a tremendous amount of stress off the body. As a result, the brain is nourished and has the building blocks necessary to manufacture chemicals that will promote emotional wellness. Keeping starches at a minimum may also be helpful in some cases. Many people find that a diet for depression that avoids processed sugars, chocolate, and beverages with caffeine will also help to expedite the healing process.
Eliminating some foods from your diet is not enough. There is also the need to develop a depression diet that includes foods which provide plenty of vitamins and minerals that promote emotional wellness. Green leafy vegetables, lean cuts of meat, and fish are excellent additions. Instead of processed sweets, go for fresh fruit instead. Herbal teas and fusions can take the place of coffee in the morning.
Vitamin and mineral supplements should also be part of your diet for depression plans. Make sure you have plenty of Vitamins A and C, and a full round of the B vitamins. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc can also provide your body with the nutrients to lift your mood and also promote recuperative sleep, an essential to good mental health. Amino acids such as tryptophan and glutamine are often helpful, especially when added to Omega 3 fish oil capsules after meals.
One of the best resources for creating and implementing an effective diet for depression is your personal physician. A qualified doctor can provide diet plans that will give you ideas for different meal plans, helping to ensure that there are always plenty of options when it comes to creating nutritious meals. Your doctor can also help you determine the dosages of any vitamin and mineral supplements that you should take along with the prescription antidepressants. There is also a good chance your physician will provide instructions for a daily exercise regiment to augment the effectiveness of your diet for depression.
Overcoming mild to moderate depression is a task that takes time and effort. However, creating and following a viable diet for depression will increase the effectiveness of any prescription medication and counseling that your health care provider recommends. Within a short time, you will begin to see positive results from your efforts and be on your way to being free from the lethargy and overwhelming sadness that is characteristic of depression.
