Is What We Eat Linked to Depression?

Some research says yes, healthy diets may decrease your risk of depression. Although we’re still learning about this relationship, we acknowledge that our diet impacts health which includes mental health. Our brain needs a constant supply of energy from food. To give our brain the best fuel, we should choose nutritious foods and practice healthy habits.

Here are practical recommendations for the prevention of depression:

• Follow traditional diet patterns like the Mediterranean diet.

• Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lean proteins, beans and lentils. Replace highly processed foods with whole foods.

• Eat foods with omega-3s including salmon, trout, flax seeds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds.

• Dine with family and friends.