Food Items Depression Victims Must Avoid

When stress gets too high, it turns into depression. Nothing feels good to a person when he is depressed. In such a situation, self-care is very important to manage the condition. Getting good sleep, exercising regularly, meditating and taking care of the diet is a good way to fight depression. While there is no specific diet to treat depression, eating more and less of certain foods can help manage their symptoms. However, there are some food items that should be completely avoided by a depression victim:

Fast Foods

Fast food is what attracts the majority people these days. However, the artificial trans-fat, refined carbs, sodium and sugar present in it increases inflammation. A study has found that people who regularly eat fast food had a 40 per cent higher risk of developing depression. So, if you're eating out, consider eating salads and wraps instead of burgers or fries.

Alcohol

Many people consume alcohol to improve their mood. It is surprising that alcohol helps to release serotonin, the happy chemical, in our brain, but if one is suffering from depression, then alcohol can give the opposite effect. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism suggests that alcohol affects various pathways in the brain, affecting a person's mood and behavior. Hence, a depression victim must intake alcohol-free drinks.

Refined Grains

There is nothing wrong in consuming grains, but when they are refined, they lose their nutrients. It has been proved in many research that people who consume refined grains are more prone to depression. Therefore, include whole grains in your diet. One can take brown rice instead of white rice, or, eat whole wheat bread.

Refined Sugar

Refined sugar increases the risk of everything from diabetes and heart disease to obesity and some types of cancer. However, it also affects your mental health. Some research claim a link between sugar intake and depression. Researchers believe that this ingredient has many negative long-term effects on the body, affecting a person's mental health. Since it is difficult to completely stay away from sweet snacks. So to lower your intake levels, consider looking for alternatives that are low in sugar.

Excess Salt

It is not possible to have a diet without salt, but consuming too much salt is injurious to health. Not only does it negatively impact our blood pressure and heart health, but it also affects our mental health. So, include salt in your diet, but avoid sprinkling an extra teaspoon on top of food.