Outside your comfort-food zone In my house we call it "Holiday Letdown": That overall "blah" feeling that happens after the last Christmas ornament is put away. But for a lot of people that feeling extends well into the new year. In fact, the whole winter -- with its cold temperatures and lack of sunshine -- is a challenge for anyone struggling with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Normally, I try to stay away from soothing my emotional troubles with food. But I came across an interesting article recently offering solid evidence that certain foods can actually alter brain chemistry and combat depression. And no, it wasn't talking about chocolate or other comfort foods like mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese. In fact, I'd be willing to bet most of these foods are ones you've never associated with mood before. The first one on the list is one that Dr. Wright has recommended numerous times: fish oil. It contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, and research has shown that people battling depression have low levels of a type of the fatty acid EPA. If you just can't stomach fish oil, you can also get omega-3s from walnuts and flaxseeds. Next up is brown rice. It contains B vitamins like B1, B3, and folic acid, all of which help regulate mood. And according to the article I read, brown rice has a low ranking on the glycemic index, so it releases glucose into the bloodstream gradually (see the "What is..." section below for more information on the glycemic index). This helps prevent blood sugar swings, and the mood swings that often accompany them. One caveat to keep in mind when it comes to brown rice, though, is that the instant varieties don't count. So if you want the depression-fighting benefits, you'll have to invest the time at the stove to cook it (or invest the money into a rice steamer that will do the work for you). Along the same line as brown rice are whole-grain oats. They also contain B vitamins and help keep your blood sugar from taking a nosedive (and dragging your mood down with it). Rounding out the vitamin B-rich foods on the list is Brewer's yeast. It also contains significant amounts of amino acids, which are critical to optimal nervous system functioning. This one is a little tougher to figure out how to eat: I certainly can't imagine sitting down to a steaming bowl of yeast for breakfast. But the article I read recommended adding a teaspoon or so to a smoothie. And last but not least is something we generally talk about in terms of its cancer-fighting abilities: cabbage. But it turns out that its high fiber content also helps stabilize blood sugar levels and ward off depression. Who knew? | 
