Want to feel better? Eat better!

It is not uncommon for parents to feel run down or a little "blue" when raising busy, active children. Kids take a lot of time and most parents take care of their child's needs before their own. But being busy is no reason not to eat well in fact it can hurt you. A recent study finds a link between the quality of our diet and depression. More than 10,000 participants enrolled in a study in 1999 for the purpose of assessing whether food choices impact the risk of depression and guess what they found? Those eating more fruit, vegetables, nuts whole grains and fish had a much lower risk. Those eating the most meat products and whole fat dairy had the greatest risk. The researchers conclude that eating a “Mediterranean- type diet” can play a protective role in preventing depressive disorders.

How do you make this work in your life? Simple, every time you eat make an effort to include a fruit or vegetable this can easily add up to three to five servings in a day and this simple change will probably eliminate some unhealthy food in your menu. A secondary benefit includes setting a great example for your child.
Source: Association of the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern with the Incidence of Depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 2009;66(10):1090-1098
http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/66/10/1090