What's Your Food Doing for Your Mood?

Overweight people are not always depressed; depressed people are not always overweight; but there is a well-established and undeniable link between the two. It’s not just a simple chicken-egg question of cause and effect, though; this is a hen-house of  “which came firsts?” Lack of motivation, unhealthy eating, weight gain, difficulty exercising, and depression are all intricately connected, and it’s hard to say which leads to which.

However, one thing we do know is that food can affect mood, sometimes dramatically – just witness a six year old after five-too-many sodas! Many people who suffer depression find that when they change some aspect of their diet, the symptoms of their depression also change.

If you struggle with mood swings or simply wish you had more energy, take a look at what you’re eating. How many “do” foods are you getting? How many “don’t” foods make their way into your daily diet?

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are a kind of healthy fat found in many types of fish, as well as some other foods.

In countries where people eat more fish, such as Scandinavian and East Asian nations, there tend to be lower rates of depression. Research suggests that this is because the omega-3 fats in fish have anti-depressant-like effects.

Atlantic salmon, tuna and sardines are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, but if you don’t like fish, you can also try walnuts, flaxseed oil, canola oil or omega-3 enriched eggs.

If you are pregnant or nursing, limit your fish consumption to an average of 12 oz. per week.

Complex carbs

Think carbs, think “comfort food”? There’s a reason for that connection. Complex carbohydrates boost serotonin levels in the brain; serotonin is a “good mood” chemical. A steady supply of complex carbohydrates also keeps blood-sugar levels on an even keel, and a steady blood-sugar level can help control mood fluctuations.

Whole grains, whole-grain breads, brown rice, beans and vegetables are your best choices of complex-carb foods, as these are unrefined, i.e. they are less processed than refined complex-carb foods such as white rice and white bread. Simple-carb foods, such as candy, cookies, and other sugary foods, are not good mood-enhancers and are best avoided.

Minerals galore

Minerals can also make a difference to mood. Here are a few to consider:

• Folic acid. Research shows that people who suffer from depression often have a folic acid deficiency. Folic acid can be found in asparagus, avocados, beans, chick-peas, soybeans, lentils, oranges, broccoli and dark leafy greens like spinach.
• Magnesium. It’s thought that magnesium may ease depressive symptoms by relaxing muscles. Try spinach, dark chocolate (small servings!) pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, avocado and almonds for a dose of magnesium.
• Niacin. This is a B-vitamin that some experts believe can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety or panic. Brown rice, bran, enriched grains, chicken and tuna are all good sources of niacin.
• Zinc. Deficiency of this mineral is known to result in irritability, anger episodes, and an inability to deal with stress. Try milk, whole-grain bread, lean red meats, eggs, and oysters to boost your zinc intake.

Too much alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant – period. It can lower serotonin levels during consumption and increase anxiety levels after consumption. That’s not to say a glass of wine will send you spiraling into never-never-smile-again land, but the euphoric feelings associated with alcohol are deceptive and temporary. If you suffer from depression or are experiencing low mood, alcohol will generally make you feel worse and is best avoided.

Too much added sugar

Feelings of depression often improve when the amount of added sugar in a person’s diet is reduced. Added sugar is any type of sugar that is added to food, such as the sugar you use in baking, or the sugar you add to your coffee, or the sugar that is used to sweeten soft drinks, ice cream, yogurts, and many other foods. Although sugar can sometimes give you a quick lift, it can also leave you feeling quite down after the effects wear off. Foods high in sugar can also cause your blood-sugar levels to fluctuate; this fluctuation can affect mood as well, especially if you experience a blood-sugar crash and get suddenly hungry. Instead of eating a cookie to cheer yourself up, try fresh fruit, popcorn, or low-fat cheese and crackers.

Too much of anything!

Overeating raises insulin and cortisone levels, and lowers testosterone levels; all of these hormonal changes have been associated with depression. Overeating, especially bingeing, can also lead to blood-sugar imbalance, which in turn can cause mood swings.

In the bigger picture, overeating is an emotional issue all of its own – many people turn to food when faced with emotional stress. Though food may provide momentary relief from negative feelings, the aftermath of overeating, or eating for emotional needs, is usually guilt and more negative feelings. It's better to call on a friend than your refrigerator when you're feeling down.

Healthy food is not a cure-all. It won't make depression disappear or satisfy your deep emotional needs, but there's no doubt it can help to improve your mood.

If you eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet, high in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat protein, you are on the right track to keeping your mood and your body healthy – and it won’t hurt your waistline either!