hilltop.typepad.com > Depression buster foods

Lamb

Lamb is a great source of vitamin B-12 and zinc and a fairly good source of iron and vitamin B-6, all nutrients that people with depression tend to be deficient in. Read about the nutrient profile of lamb and get Mom's recipe for Moroccan lamb chops.

As an added bonus, if the lamb has been on pasture (and much of the lamb sold commercially in the U.S. fits this category), it will also have a decent level of Omega 3 fatty acids. Like beef, it is not an Omega 3 super food,but it will provide a good balance of Omega 3 and 6s in your diet.

Clam

Clam is a fantastic source of vitamin B-12, iron, and zinc. You can read more about its nutrient profile and catch a recipe for steamers (clams fight depression). Of course, there is always clam chowder or one of my favorite travel foods: clam dip.

Hummus (sesame seeds)

Sesame seeds are a great mineral-rich food. They are high in magnesium, zinc, and iron. They will contribute to your B-6 and folate requirements as well. One super way to get a dose of sesame seeds is in hummus, a combination of chick peas and sesame tahini.

Liver

Liver may be nature's most powerful depression-fighting food because it contains nutrients that people struggling with depression tend to be deficient in. Liver is high in vitamins and minerals. Liver will be a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids if it comes from an animal raised on pasture. We appreciate that actually eating liver is a barrier and recommend Mom's flash fried liver for beginners.

Salmon

Salmon is extremely high in Omega 3 fatty acids, be it farmed or wild. It is also a good source of minerals. Our favorite way to prepare salmon, for ease and flavor is grilled (grilled salmon). Be sure to make the homemade tartar sauce to go with it.

Eggs

Eggs are high in nutrients regardless of the shell color (though I do love a variety of colors in my egg bowl). The diet of the hen is going to make a big difference in the Omega 3 content of the eggs (Omega 3 eggs). Hens allowed to forage for bugs and weeds or hens fed diets high in flaxseed or fishmeal will have a higher Omega 3 content.

Walnuts

Walnuts are filled with minerals and are high in the Omega 3 fatty acid ALA found in plants that our bodies convert into the depression-fighting Omega 3 EPA. I use walnuts for salad toppers and snacks liberally. Read more about walnuts, including mom's ideas for adding them to your diet.

Bear

You probably don't happen upon much bear meat, but it is actually high in nutrients that fight depression. I would recommend cooking it well. Hunters tell me it can have some nasty critters in it, best eaten cooked. Bear was featured in our "Pest or Dinner" Contest.

Fried Grasshopper :)

We can't actually find a nutrient profile for grasshopper but I thought you might want to read about the "Pest or Dinner" Contest. Scroll down to the bottom of that post for all of the trackbacks. It was a lot of fun. And, hey, grasshopper may do the trick.

Beef

It's a great thing that beef is high in vitamin B-12, zinc, vitamin B-6, and iron because that nutrient profile allows me to display this picture of beef cows grazing along with an incredible bull. Beef can fight depression. For a fun discussion of beef and its nutrients, read more about "Meatloaf" from our "Rock Group or Depression Buster?" Contest. You might also be interested in a great recipe, simple and impressive, for Moroccan Beef.