Banish Winter Blues with the Right Foods
Are you suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)? Take a look at these foods that actually can boost your mood, especially for those dark days.
Recent research indicates that more than 10 million Americans are thought to suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) during the gloomy days. Winter months bring less sunlight, causing people who are prone to SAD to feel irritable, fatigue, anxious, and depressed!
Well, cheer up! There is something we can all do about it: eat! We love foods, and we love to eat; so let’s just find the right foods to banish the winter blues. Studies have found that there is a food-mood connection, and that certain vitamins, plus other compounds in foods, can change the brain chemistry.
Eat Foods That Are High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Several studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids can help fight depression. These good fats stimulate the activity of the brain to produce serotonin, and can alleviate bad mood.
Here are the foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Wild salmon, mackerel, sardines, and herring
- Walnuts
- Ground Flaxseeds
- Canola oil
Learn more about omega-3 fatty acids.
Eat Foods That Are High in Vitamin B6, B12, and Folic Acid
People with low blood levels of folic acid have a greater rate of depression. Foods rich in folic acid, which is called folate, can be found in leafy green vegetables.
- Sunflower seeds
- Soybeans
- Beets
- Oranges
Learn more about leafy greens here and here.
Foods high in B12 are:
- Clams
- Oysters
- Crabs
Consume Foods That Are High in Vitamin D
Researcher has suggested that vitamin D can help increase serotonin, and relieve mood disorders, in particular SAD. It is hard to get vitamin D from foods, and a supplement of 400 IU is recommended daily.
- Salmon
- Fortified milk, soy milk, fat free and low fat milk
- Fortified cereals
- Egg yolks
Learn more about eggs here.
Consume Better Carbohydrate Foods
Eat foods that are high quality in carbohydrates can help banish the blues, and stabilize blood sugar levels. The best carbs are ones that have high soluble fiber.
- Sweet potatoes
- Lentils
- Beans
- Oats
- Barley
- Brown rice
Learn more about oatmeal here.
Special Treat Foods
For those that crave sweet once in a while, you will be glad to know that chocolate is still in, and it can boost your mood by releasing endorphins.
Image Source
- Strawberries
- Non fat popcorn
- Banana
- Yogurt
If you feel down or blues on those dark days of winter, you can read the additional resources below to find a way to lift banish those blues.
Liked it
nobert soloria bermosa | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
very helpful article,thanks BC
CHAN LEE PENG | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Very useful info, sister! Yeah, cheers!Take care!
lindalulu | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
I am a sufferer of this badly! I have started some of the above already and will try more. Thank you for the great information.
Terri Lane | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Very helpful article especially this time of the year.
Christine Ramsay | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for this information. My husband needs to try them to lift his mood
CA Johnson | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Great job, BC. Thank you for sharing these tips. I have to remember them.
Mys Lyke Meeh | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Excellent, helpful and useful tips. I knew that I can learn anything helpful from u. A very good advice, especially that winter is approaching…good way to combat the cold, chill and freezing times.
Today, it’s freezing cold—it’s negative two, how much more on Dec to Feb.
Take care.
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Very helpful and timely. God bless.
eddiego65 | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Very helpful tips! Thanks!
Swapna P | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
great tips…
valli | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Very helpful tips.
Eunice Tan | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Very informative and thanks for collecting this informations. Wee done.
Chris Stonecipher | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Great article! I am interested in any information that helps fight depression as I have boughts with this throughout the year.
Liane Schmidt | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply
Really great, invaluable information – nice work!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Anne Lyken Garner | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
A really topical article with lots of useful suggestions.
gabbic1219 | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
great advice…i read alot and know some of the food’s but im very happy to hear it can do a lot for SAD…I THINK I SUFFER THAT!i love veggies and sweet potto’s,yum….my gosh do i love chocolate,dark is the one packed w/high antioxidants!good write,gabbi
Lauren Axelrod | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
wonderful tips here with some really yummy shots.
Ruby Hawk | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
Wonderful advise for the long winter days. Take care,Ruby
Darlene McFarlane | Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
These are all good ideas, BC and best of all we will be eating foods we enjoy. I suffer from SAD and even though the winter snow hasn’t begun yet, the early nights and cloudy skies are beginning. Some people use full spectrum lighting and Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors along with diet.
Great article and well worth reading.
Thanks
miragana | Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
Good day!
It is very informative and has a very good quality in it.
I like it…
mliragana.blogspot.com
ak47mod.blogspot.com
Thank you very much for your time.
lanne | Nov 5, 2008 | Reply
Valuable information BC. I HATE winter and need all the help I can get to stay sane during these long, dark, dreary days. The only thing I regret is that I don`t like chocolate at all ….any suggestions on a substitute?
christylynn | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
A lot of good information, thank you, winter can seem like the longest season of the year. thanks again.
Judy Sheldon | Nov 6, 2008 | Reply
Wonderful tips, and you have offered so many healthy foods. If we did not like one, we could surely find another. Thanks for a beautiful job with wonderful pictures.
Geri OHara | Nov 19, 2008 | Reply
That explains why I am craving homemae lentil soup & granola (not at the same time ) lol