Nutrition

• According to dietanddepression.com, people who have diets high in omega-3 fatty acids, tryptophan, the B vitamins, vitamin C and zinc are less likely to develop depression than those who do not have diets high in those nutrients. What this means is not that there are diets that "cure" depression, but that changing your diet to include more fruits and vegetables, fish and whole grains could make a noticeable difference in the severity of your symptoms.
  
  The article "Depression and Diet: Make Healthy Choices" by Gabrielle Melin M.D., suggests that diets based in Mediterranean cuisine can have a positive effect on physical health, which can lead to positive effects on mental health as well. For those not experiencing depression symptoms, a Mediterranean diet can prevent the development of the condition.
  
  

Caffeine

• According to the article "Caffeine and Depression: Is there a link?" by Daniel K. Hall-Flavin M.D., caffeine is a mild stimulant that can exacerbate the symptoms of depression in some people. Caffeine can contribute to a loss of sleep, which in turn can have a negative impact on one's mood. If you've used caffeine frequently, quitting "cold turkey" can cause irritability and headaches, two conditions that can also worsen the symptoms of depression.
  
  

Treatment

• Changing your diet will not "cure" your depression, but you can improve your physical health and overall well-being by adhering to a healthier diet. Fruits and vegetables are always great additions to anyone's diet, especially if you can eat them fresh. If you don't have time to cook or want a quick way to get a healthy serving of fruits and vegetables, try having a fruit smoothie for breakfast or along with a healthy lunch. You can also integrate fruits and vegetables into your daily diet by having a Meatless Monday, when you design every meal without meat.
  
  To curb symptoms of depression, you want to focus on boosting the vitamins and minerals in your diet, while reducing foods that can make you feel sluggish and tired, such as fast foods (heavy in fats and grease while low in vitamins and whole grains) and fried foods.