I remember hearing a few years ago that eating foods with Tryptophan in are good for depression, but I don't know which foods they are. So, does anyone know which foods are thought to be generally good for improving mood (other than chocolate!!). Cheers.
2006-06-23 03:29:06 · 16 answers · asked by laura b 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Turkey, Bananas are high in Tryptophan, so if you like them, eat them. Also eat more fats (esp. essential ones, but also saturated). America is depressed because so many people eat fat free. Absolutely avoid fat-free and carb-free foods!!! Drink whole milk, not skim milk. Don't worry about gaining weight, you will not. You will actually lose weight if you turn your body into a fat-burning machine. For that your fat intake has to be higher than your sugar intake. Eat in moderation. Avoid artificial sugar. Eat what you really like, and eat the best of the best. Indulge, but in healthy food, like fruits, dark chocolate, low sugar ice cream. Do not indulge in french fries, coke or donuts. While they may satisfy you temporarily, they are very bad for your body in general. Also do not eat something you don't like, just because it is healthy.
2006-06-23 03:46:16 · answer #1 · answered by Charmus 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Tryptophan, found as a component of dietary protein, is particularly plentiful in chocolate, oats, bananas, dried dates, milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, meat, fish, turkey, chicken, sesame, chickpeas, and peanuts.
For some time, tryptophan was available in health food stores as a dietary supplement. Many people found tryptophan to be a safe and reasonably effective sleep aid, probably due to its ability to increase brain levels of serotonin (a calming neurotransmitter when present in moderate levels) and/or melatonin (a sleep-inducing hormone secreted by the pineal gland in response to darkness or low light levels). Clinical research tended to confirm tryptophan's effectiveness as a natural sleep aid and for a growing variety of other conditions typically associated with low serotonin levels or activity in the brain. (Particulary work by Dr. Richard Wurtman at MIT). In particular, tryptophan showed considerable promise as an antidepressant alone, and as an "augmentor" of antidepressant drugs. Other promising indications included relief of chronic pain and reduction of impulsive, violent, manic, addictive, obsessive, or compulsive behaviours and disorders.
2006-06-23 03:34:12 · answer #2 · answered by FutureMrsMarsalia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you want anything other than chocolate?! Just kidding. Any food with omega3 fatty acids are good for your mood. Fish is a great happy food. If you cannot handle fish, you can take flax seed oil pills for omega3 supplementation. Pastas are noted for improving serotonin levels which is why it is such a popular 'comfort food'. Eating healthy in general can improve you mood.
2006-06-23 03:34:57 · answer #3 · answered by zharantan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why think in terms of food. Depression is generally low self esteem, so any action that improves your self esteem will help you. That said, sugar highs are usually followed by sugar lows, so try to avoid anything that over stimulates your system. Any physical action will help produce natural endorphins and make you fell better, try dancing to a music channel if you dont want to go out.
2006-06-23 04:18:23 · answer #4 · answered by Beebee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tryptophan is in turkey, but it makes your sleepy, so I'm thinking it's not so good for dealing with depression. Comfort foods feel good when your depressed, but I have friends that swear by a nice big juicy steak when they are depressed - makes them feel better, and snaps them out of their funk.
(clinical depression is another thing - must have very balanced meals)
2006-06-23 03:34:47 · answer #5 · answered by Robsthings 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't screw around with Tryptophan. It can cause serious nightmares. If you're more than just a little depressed see a psychiatrist, not a psychologist.
2006-06-23 05:03:13 · answer #6 · answered by composertype 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alcohol and drugs of all sorts are good for depression, most people with it take them (they are the root cause in most cases) so give them up.
But I don't know what can make it better other than cognitive therapies which do work in some cases.
2006-06-23 08:03:49 · answer #7 · answered by Ben C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fish oil pills can help with depression. You may still need anti depressants no matter what supplements or foods you eat.
2006-06-23 03:40:00 · answer #8 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I like to eat chocolate when I'm depressed, you can try it as well.
2006-06-23 03:38:47 · answer #9 · answered by Alaide 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know turkey has that amino acid in it but I thought that just made you sleepy. I would go for Ben and Jerry's chunky monkey
2006-06-23 03:34:20 · answer #10 · answered by Microbiology.girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋