Healthy Eating Fights Depression

The Holidays are over and we've survived them. We may have put on a couple of pounds, but they can be dropped, if we get back on track. What we are looking at now is the rest of a long winter without the fun of the holidays to keep us occupied. During this time, many people suffer from something called the "winter blues".nnWe have a tendency to be less active in the winter and exercise a form of human hibernation. Many of us curb our outdoor activities, which greatly reduces our exposure to sunlight. This can easily cause what is known as the "winter blues". While we're indoors curled up reading that good book or watching those movies, we often reach for all the wrong foods. Foods that don't help alleviate the winter blues, but help intensify them. This happens because these foods are high in protein with low levels of cholesterol, sugar and fat.nnResearch indicates the reason these foods lead to winter blues is they lack the ability to produce high levels of serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical that aids in sending the signals from one area of the brain to another. Some of the foods that fall into this category include almonds, apples, avocado, brazil nuts, coconut, canned green peas, lentils, peanuts, rice, sunflower seeds, and white beans. This is just a short list of the foods that, when eaten in large quantities, can lead to mild depression, or the winter blues.nnThere are a variety of foods that can counteract the winter blues. Research studies have shown that foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids can aid in fighting depression. So, it makes sense to eat these to help raise low serotonin levels and lift your mood. Some of these foods are wild salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, walnuts, ground flaxseed, and canola oil. There are also a category of fruits that have been shown to raise serotonin levels and enhance the mood. Some of these fruits are cherries, orange, mango, dried dates and papaya. Low blood levels of vitamins B6 and B12 and Folic Acid can also lead to mild depression. These can be found in leafy green vegetables.nnDehydration can cause you to feel fatigued. It's important to stay hydrated, but not with sugary, caffeinated drinks. The sugar will just take you up quickly and bring you crashing down. Drink plenty of water. Water keeps you hydrated and cleanses your system. The same holds true for sugary snacks. They may be satisfying in the moment, but they won't last. Healthy alternatives that can also satisfy your sweet tooth are some of the many root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, beets, and sweet potatoes. When roasted with some olive oil and seasonings, they are a deliciously sweet alternative.nnAt times it may be difficult to get all the proper levels of the vitamins and minerals that aid in combating the winter blues and some of the unhealthy foods you may not be able to resist.. A solution to that problem is supplementing your diet with natural formulas. A folic acid formula will nourish the brain and elevate your mood safely and naturally. Choose a supplement with plant ingredients of alfalfa, amalaki, echinacea, irish moss, spirulina, blue green algea, chlorella, and rose hip seed. In addition, include an organic B-12 supplement made from burdock root, chickweed, mullein leaves, dandelion root, catnip, hawthorn berries, fenugreek seed, red clover tops, white oak bark, and dong quai.nnFollowing these simple guidelines will aid you in beating the "winter blues"".