Foods for Depression and Stress
Most of us are under tons of pressure lately, whether it’s health, finances, climate change, politics, family or all of the above;such levels of stress can induce acute anxiety or even depression. Eating the right foods can do wonders. Chinese and Western nutrition look at food very differently. While Western medicine analyzes nutrients and what they do, Chinese medicine views food energetically. Chinese nutrition views anxiety and stress as kidney and liver imbalances. Drink plenty of water and these foods to nourish the body to help alleviate anxiety and stress.
Eat plenty of: Root veggies – yams, radishes, parsnips, beets, carrots, and potatoes. I like to bake yams, Juice Beets and Carrots.
Dark leafy greens – chard, kale, spinach, arugula, watercress. You can use any of these greens in a salad or juice. (Dark bitter greens nourish the Heart Qi, which is great to elevate the mood)
Sea vegetables – kelp, nori, wakame, hijiki, dulse, kombu. Sprinkle some in your salad, or add to sushi with brown rice and avocado or to miso broth.
To nourish the adrenals (Kidney QI ) – Black beans, black sesame seeds, mung beans
To nourish the l iver and (Liver QI ) - artichokes, avocados, greens, lemons & limes,grapefruit, green apples, apple cider vinegar, Spirulina and greens. Blackberries, Coconut and Tropical Fruits. Also make sure to get enough of the following nutrients:
Folic acid: found in: brown, red and wild rice; beans; oranges; dark greens.
Vitamin B-12: found in: sea vegetables, nutritional yeast, miso, fortified and fermented foods. People with Vitamin B deficiencies are more likely to have severe depression.
Magnesium: found in: wheat and oat bran, brown rice, nuts, molasses, which supports brain function and is helpful for mood disorders, including PMS and bipolar disorder.
Omega-3 fatty acids: seaweed, walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, borage oil, primrose oil, which build healthy brain cell membranes and help facilitate neuron-to-neuron communication.
Chromium: broccoli, grapes, oranges, whole grains, which lessens depression, particularly in people who are also craving sugar. Chromium is a blood sugar stabilizer.
Zinc (found in: beans, nuts, oatmeal), which helps metabolize omega-3 fatty acids in the brain. Low zinc levels are often found in those suffering from postpartum depression.
I hope this information helps lift your spirits! Only eat what your body resonates with.
Live natural. Live well. love. Laugh.
Becky Castano LAc, MATCM
832-812-2802
