Food and depression: 8 rules of what and how to eat when recovering from depression.

Feb 26 2015 Published by under Action, Change, Choice, Decision, Inspiration

Food and depression: 8 rulesLast week I promised to share with you what I consider a good diet when suffering with depression.

Please bear in mind that this is what I personally follow to keep my energy levels up and even, and my brain healthy, creative and vibrant.

These are my rules and I do not claim that everyone should/must/ought to follow them. Neither can I claim that if you religiously follow them, your depression would miraculously be lifted after a week or so.

I have studied nutrition for a few years now and I am very lucky to be learning from my amazing mentors who understand nutrition well and are based in four different countries across the globe (UK, USA, China and Russia).

I encourage you to use my rules as your tools. Use the best, discard the rest!

 

So, here are my rules of what and how to eat when recovering from depression:

 

  1. Eat 5-6 small meals a day.

Food gives us energy: the very thing that depression takes away from us. So, it is vital to provide your body (especially your mind) with a regular and consistent supply of energy.

Just beware, that eating too much food in one sitting can deplete your energy (You have probably experienced it after a huge dinner). Digesting food is energy-consuming. Therefore, keep your portions small and eat often (every 3-4 hours during the day).

Note: a small portion should fit in the palms of your folded hands forming a bowl, without spilling over.

 

  1. Do not attempt to go on a diet or change your food drastically all at once.

Depression recovery is not the right time to diet or lose weight.

Neither is it a time to throw your usual diet out of the window and load yourself with something “trendy”, portrayed by the media as a new magical cure for depression.

Yes, you can add or take away things over time, but doing it abruptly or all at once would send your brain haywire.

It can make you irritable in no time. It can lower your mood further and it can make you feel really bad should you decide to put a stop to this self-abuse.

So, please no dieting!

Warning: If you are a vegetarian or vegan, consider giving it up immediately until your depression is lifted! You job is to feed yourself properly to raise your energy levels to assist your recovery. As far as I know, it is very challenging to obtain all the needed amino acids, vitamins and heme iron, in particular, via vegetarian or vegan diet.

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Which New Year’s Resolution is worth considering for a person recovering from depression?

Dec 29 2011 Published by under Action, Change, Strategy

With just a few days left before we step into the brand new year, our desires to make things better in the next year manifest in a list of resolutions. In these last dark days of December, lots of us set ourselves on a path of change and transformation.  We solemnly declare and promise ourselves that on the 1st of January, we will alter our behaviours, habits, thoughts and/or lifestyle.

So, what are the top 5 most popular New Year’s resolutions and are they worth considering for a person recovering from depression? Let’s explore them one by one… Continue Reading »

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What can you do about depression just before Christmas and the New Year?

Dec 18 2011 Published by under Action, Attitude, Hope

The year is almost over. Christmas is just round the corner. The festive spirit is in the air: music, decorations, gifts, parties, great food, holidays, etc.

But…

How do you feel in the midst of these December festivities? Stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, fearful, isolated, powerless, useless, lonely and desperate, exhausted, or full of guilt and resentment?

What can you do to stop feeling that way?

You can do ‘I CAN DO’. This is the chosen attitude that despite feeling depressed, you embrace the approaching winter holidays with some planning, and most importantly, commit to do the things on your list.

So, here are an examples of ‘I CAN DO’ behaviours, as well as tasks and projects to try out this December:

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Chomping depression away: lessons from hungry caterpillars (part 1- Banana)

Mar 06 2010 Published by under Decision, Determination, Information, Inspiration

I’ve decided to dedicate a few posts to evaluating and promoting some good-mood food.

Are you are familiar with caterpillars and their eating habits or at least Eric Carle’s classic book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”? They are very fussy and picky in what they eat, but once they find the ‘good stuff’, they eat loads and at an amazing rate!

Today’s good stuff for you to consider is:

Bananas 

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Chicken soup for the depressed soul?

Feb 27 2010 Published by under Decision, Information, Inspiration

Did you know that in olden days soups were prescribed to you if you were unwell? In many cultures, it is still the first food served to a person recovering from an illness, especially a long one.

Soups are made all over the world, hence the endless types, varieties and flavours. Making soups is a very old tradition. It is said that restaurants were originally created to serve soups (restoratifs) in 18th century Paris.

What makes soup so special?
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