Depression is a mental health disorder that is difficult to treat, requiring treatment and therapy for a course of time. Patients need an active support system and to learn healthy coping skills. One of the common ways to help one improve their mood and enable them to feel better is to tailor their diet according to their mental health, not according to their moods. Though they may not cure depression, they can improve your moods.

Foods to help in dealing with depression include the following:

1. Leafy greens
Dark leafy greens are the storehouse of nutrients and are the perfect food item to combat the condition. If you want to enhance your mood, opt for this nutrient-dense food for depression. Dark leafy greens such as spinach, Swiss chard, etc. also help in preventing normal cells from becoming cancerous. This food item contains plenty of vitamins including vitamins A, C, E, and K, minerals, and phytochemicals, making it one of the superfoods for most conditions.

2. Walnuts
Walnuts are super-rich in mood-boosting fatty acids known as omega-3. Various studies have reported that omega-3 supports the efficient functioning of the brain and thus reduces the symptoms of depression. This makes them one of the most effective foods for depression.

3. Avocado
Avocado is a storehouse of oleic acid and is rich in healthy fats which allow the brain to function smoothly. You can add them to your salad, to a smoothie, or eat them as a topping for your toast. Avocados also contain vitamin C, vitamin B, and vitamin E12.

4. Berries
Berries are full of antioxidants and help in repairing cells. All types of berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries, are superfoods and can be had regularly, as part of a meal or just by themselves. Antioxidants are similar to DNA repairmen. They travel around your body and continuously repair cells. They thus prevent cancerous cell formation and various other medical conditions.

5. Mushrooms
Mushrooms work wonders in lowering blood sugar levels. They are good for your mental health because the chemical properties in mushrooms oppose insulin, which acts actively in keeping your blood sugar level low, and they also work as a probiotic and promote healthy bacteria that prevent gastrointestinal issues.

6. Onions
Onions are rich in cancer-fighting allium. Regular consumption of onion reduces the risk of developing cancer of the digestive tract as it contains high concentrations of anti-inflammatory flavonoid antioxidants.

7. Apples
Apples have high fiber content and are rich in antioxidants. Due to the antioxidant-rich properties, apples can help to prevent and repair oxidation damage and inflammation on the cellular level. Furthermore, they are full of soluble fiber and balance the changes in blood sugar levels.