Six Foods to Help With Anxiety & Depression

Depression and anxiety are often treated with medications, but the foods we eat also play a key role in regulating our mood. 

The foods you eat aren’t just fueling you physically—they also provide nutrients that can offer a boost your brain needs. If you're looking for some extra mental support, try incorporating these six foods into your diet: 

1. Berries

The berry family provides plenty of beneficial antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals your bod needs. Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries tend to be lower in sugar and higher in helpful nutrients like vitamin C, making them a great food for anxiety and depression. 

2. Asparagus

Asparagus is among the foods with the highest levels of folate, a type of vitamin B that’s linked to lowering anxious feelings. You can get roughly 22% of your recommended daily value of folate in just four asparagus spears! Try adding some asparagus to your next dinner plate.  

3. Avocados

Avocados are loaded with healthy-brain vitamins and minerals like magnesium, vitamin B6, and folate. Don't be shy in loading up on magnesium, as it helps calm stress, improve mood, and enhance sleep.

4. Wild fish

For all you fish fiends, researchers show a major link between consuming fish and mental health benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to the communication processes in the brain by reducing inflammation in the neurological system. Try some wild fish like salmon, but if you don’t eat meat or you have a hard time incorporating fish into your diet, you can always opt for fish oil or omega-3 supplements. 

5. Protein 

Protein is made up of amino acids. Amino acids, in turn, are used to create neurotransmitters that regulate mood and memory. They are also important in supporting neurological function, so getting enough protein daily is key. We looovee getting our daily protein intake from our fave LSF Nutrition plant based protein. It's an organic pea and brown rice mix that is gluten free, sugar free, and best yet, stirs seamlessly into any liquid with no chalky taste. 

6. Eggs

Eggs are a great source of choline. Choline is a nutrient that’s used to create acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and helps with memory.

Make sure to add these foods into next week's grocery list and keep that mental health in tip top shape, babes.