Can Food Impact Depression Symptoms?
November 2022
By: Remi Mankes, Clinical Intern
Can Food Impact Depression Symptoms?
The correlation between food and depression is not a new concept, but there's still some misunderstanding about what role certain foods can play in the development of depression. It's important to understand that no one food will cause or cure depression; however, depending on your dietary habits and lifestyle choices, your diet might be making your symptoms worse or better. Let's dig into why this might be the case!
It is well known that food can affect mood, but less known is how foods can be used by people with depression to self-medicate. This means that those suffering from this condition may use certain foods as a way of coping with the symptoms they are experiencing. For example, a person who is feeling low in energy and motivation may reach for an energy drink or caffeinated drink to give themselves more energy and give them a boost. This approach may help them feel better temporarily but it can actually increase the cravings for more caffeine, which could then lead to addiction problems over time. Another example would be someone who feels lonely reaching for chocolate or cake as comfort food when having friends over at home - which again gives temporary relief but does not address underlying issues that exist.
What you eat has the power to potentially improve or worsen depression. Eating too much sugar, salt and unhealthy fats can contribute to inflammation and other symptoms that may exacerbate depression symptoms. At the same time, eating plenty of omega-3 fatty acids (found in cold water fish like salmon), vitamins B6, B12 and D3 (from fortified milk or sun exposure) as well as calcium (from dairy food or green leafy vegetables) could help improve your overall mood! It's important to talk about your diet with your doctor if you have any concerns about it contributing to or relieving your depression.
The bottom line is that eating well is absolutely important for your mental health. It's not just about preventing or treating depression; it's also about giving yourself the best chance at feeling good and being healthy. Your food choices can affect how you feel physically and emotionally, so if you're struggling with depression, try making some changes to the way you eat. Start small and be patient with yourself as you learn how to eat better!