According to the World Health Organization, 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. If you have diabetes you are three to four times more likely to have depression than people in the general population.
It’s quite common to feel depressed after a diabetes diagnosis. You may believe you must give up your favorite foods or way of life or you may feel you have no control over the complications of diabetes. There is no right or wrong way to feel. However, if these feelings linger, they can interfere with your diabetes self-care. If you are too depressed to cook, you’re less likely to eat healthy diabetes-friendly food. If you can’t get motivated to get out of bed, you’re going to miss the benefits of exercising.
When it comes to diabetes self-management, it is just as important to take care of your mental and emotional health as your physical health. A healthy mind is dependent on a healthy body. Moreover, healthy eating can help fight depression. So, try to incorporate these mood-boosting foods into your healthy eating plan.
Greens
Dark green leafy vegetables are an ideal way to get folate and vitamin B6. A deficiency in folate is associated with anxiety and depression. Vitamin B6 is a necessary part of helping your body create serotonin. A serotonin deficiency can also be a cause of depression, anxiety and more. So a salad bowl of fresh, crisp greens is a fantastic way to boost your mood naturally.
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Fish
Most fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help raise serotonin levels in your brain. Salmon, anchovies, herring, sardines, Pacific oysters, trout, and Atlantic and Pacific mackerel are highest in omega-3 fatty acids and lower in mercury making them ideal seafood choices to lift your spirits.
