9 Foods That Fight Depression Better Than Medication!

#4 – Avocados

You know what else contains lots of omega-3? That’s right, alligator pears.

Avocados also contain lots of potassium – 485 mg per 100 grams, to be exact. This is great because a high potassium diet is known to relieve symptoms of depression and stress.

An adult should aim for 4,700 mg of potassium daily. An avocado during snack time is a great way to start cracking on that number.

#5 – Chocolate

Wait! Hold your horses. That Kit-Kat bar is not really what we’re talking about here. If you want depression-fighting benefits, you need dark chocolate.

Researchers have found that the cocoa in dark chocolate enhances your brain’s levels of serotonin and dopamine. It also reduces your level of cortisol – the ‘stress’ neurotransmitter. 40 grams of dark chocolate per day is enough to produce this effect.

Read more about the awesome mental health benefits of dark chocolate here.

#6 – Bananas

Bananas contain tryptophan – a nutrient that your brain converts into 5-HTP. 5-HTP, in turn, gets converted into positive neurotransmitters like serotonin and melatonin. Bananas also contain magnesium and potassium.

Take that, depression!

A couple bananas throughout your day should do the trick.

#7 – Blueberries

I know – when the blues get you down, the last thing you want to see is more blue. But trust me, this sorta blue will be totally worth it. Blueberries have antioxidant properties. This means they reduce oxidative stress – a prime feature of depression.

Blueberries also help your brain grow new cells, which in itself is believed to treat depression.

#8 – Spinach

Of all the dark leafy greens, spinach contains the most folic acid. That’s great because folic acid deficiency tends to be common among those with depression. Folic acid also boosts your brain’s level of those friendly chemicals, serotonin and dopamine. It’s often used to boost antidepressant effectiveness. Spinach is also high in magnesium.

All of this goes to say that you should definitely pile the spinach onto that dinner plate!

#9 – Asparagus

Another food high in folic acid is asparagus. Everyone’s favorite stalk-y vegetable is also rich in B vitamins, which boost mental health by helping your body’s tryptophan conversion. Remember, tryptophan is the compound your body converts into serotonin.