Diet and Depression - How it Will be Helpful, What to Do

Your diet can have a tremendous effect on your depression, just as your diet can have a significant impact on any other of a number of diseases and conditions. In fact, if you have been diagnosed with depression, or if you have any or all of the symptoms of depression, you should take a look at every part of your daily routine. You should especially observe diet and sleep patterns in order to determine if there are any simple ways to provide a type of natural antidepressant effect for your body. Before making any dietary changes, talk things over with a physician, especially if you are currently taking an antidepressant medication that might interfere with your diet.

There has been much evidence to support the claim that a diet rich in complex carbohydrates creates more serotonin in the brain, acting as a natural antidepressant. Complex carbohydrate-rich foods should be a regular part of every depression sufferer's meal plan. As a side effect, carbohydrates provide a full feeling that may counter the impulses many patients have to either over or under eat. Learn to recognize the difference between complex carbohydrates (potatoes, whole grain breads, etc.) and simple carbohydrates like donuts, baked treats, and white breads. Simple carbohydrates won't get the job done – on the contrary, they'll deplete a patient of energy and might intensify the feelings of fatigue and loss of willpower associated with depression.

Eating healthier in general should provide a patient with much more energy, and this energy can serve as a great asset while fighting depression. Avoid fast food, fatty foods and treats, and pay careful attention to all of your eating habits. Simple sugars can wreak havoc on your physical and subsequently mental well-being, so stay away from them. Instead, go for leafy, green vegetables and starches. Converting to a vegetarian diet, at least temporarily, can be an extremely healthy decision that will assist you in avoiding depression-just make sure to get enough protein from nuts, eggs, and beans. Combine your new diet plan with regular exercise for the best possible depression relief.

Monitoring your calorie count isn't nearly as important as watching the types of foods that you're eating and the times of day that you are eating them. Remember, eating meals on a regular schedule can be extremely helpful. A regular eating schedule can help to regulate other body processes and can even positively affect depression patient's sleep patterns. Regulation of the sleep patterns is an important part of depression treatment, so regardless of the time of day that meals are administered, a completely regular meal schedule is a big part of antidepressant treatment. Most doctors recommend 3-5 meals spread out throughout the day, but not more than an hour or so before a person tries to go to sleep. Be especially careful not to skip breakfast. As the old adage goes, it is the most important meal of the day, and regularly eating a good breakfast can improve energy levels and alleviate many depression symptoms.

Look for deficiencies in your diet. You could be more prone to bouts of depression if you're missing out on certain vitamins (especially in the B vitamin family). You can overcome any deficiencies that you might have by looking into vitamin supplements and by keeping your diet fairly balanced with healthy meals. Speaking to a dietitian might be a great move, especially if you feel that your daily food intake has been a bit lacking. Be sure to let the dietitian know about your depression and anything that you have been doing to treat your condition (especially any medications).

There are a number of supplements that claim to have an effect on depression, though it is difficult to accurately gauge if and how these supplements work. Still, anecdotal evidence supports the use of St. John's Wort and Omega-3 fatty acids for mild cases of depression – and many patients swear by these pills. It should be noted that any supplement that's sold without scientific backing should be approached skeptically, especially those that treat depression. You should always speak to a doctor before adding a supplement to your diet because certain supplements (such as the aforementioned St. John's Wort) can have a negative impact on the effects of other drugs that a depression patient is taking, including prescription drugs such as antidepressants. If you are not currently taking an antidepressant, however, you might find some supplements to be effective. Follow their instructions carefully, as an overdose of even non-prescription supplements can lead to complications and potentially more severe depression. Most supplements have directions which insist on taking them at a certain time every day- make sure to follow these directions as they are all specified for a reason, and in order to see any potential benefit, it is imperative that you follow them exactly.

Remember, nothing beats a physician's advice when deciding what to eat and when to eat it. Depression is a serious and complex problem, and proper management of it requires an all-out approach that might include one or more antidepressant medications in addition to psychiatric counseling, strong regulation of diet, exercise, and more. Your doctor is the only person qualified to set up a plan to help you beat your condition and keep it under control permanently. Get a diagnosis and talk to your physician for advice on managing your food intake. He will likely recommend some food options designed specifically for your biology in order to obtain the best possible results. Keep records of everything you eat, when you eat it, how it was prepared, and any other pertinent details. Also, make a record of any antidepressant medications that you take and read their labels carefully to ensure that your diet corresponds with the antidepressant's indications. Most importantly, stay dedicated and as focused as you can. You will most definitely begin to feel better as soon as your new, more regulated approach to eating begins.