Strategies for Living with Depression

6. Eat Healthy Foods

No one food or nutrient can cure depression. However, many essential vitamins and minerals contribute to brain health. A diet rich in vitamins C, B, and D, and minerals such as magnesium, selenium, and zinc plays an important role in brain function. Caffeinated drinks, deep-fried or sugary foods, and processed foods provide more calories than nutritive value. Some research indicates that additives in processed foods may actually contribute to depression (and they're not good for us for a variety of other reasons, too). A diet rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 assists the body in creating neurotransmitters that may ease chemical imbalances associated with depression.

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