Leafy greens can help zap depression - here’s how

Mood: Depression

Food: Leafy Greens

Mental Health Benefits:

• High in folate which has been shown to act as an antidepressant by regulating neurotransmitter function
• Rich in fiber for a healthy gut
• High in polyphenol antioxidants for reduced inflammation

Adding this MOOD FOOD to your diet?

Some of my favorite leafy greens include spinach, Swiss chard, collard greens, arugula, kale, romaine, and dandelion?greens. As a rule of thumb: the greener, the better! All these greens?can simply be enjoyed in a salad or blended into a smoothie, sautéed with avocado oil as a side dish, added to soups and stews, or scrambled into eggs or tofu.

How to buy it?

Leafy greens are available in supermarkets, farmers markets and even the more boutique grocery stores - almost anywhere that you can buy food! Buying organic can help to reduce the amount of pesticides in these foods (various leafy greens tend to be on the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list each year!), but if that is not accessible, standard is ok too. I also recommend looking for greens in the freezer section. In the USA vegetables and fruit are flash frozen at their peak, so a great cost-effective option. Just be sure to read the label and choose frozen veggies with no added sauce, sugar, syrup or sodium.

• Dr. Uma Naidoo, M.D. (integrative psychiatrist and chef)

#functionalmedicine #holistichealth #nutrition #mentalhealth