your best recomendation for "feel good foods'

[sptygl]

Foods for depression?

Does anyone know of any foods that is good for depression (or a severe case of the blues)? What foods to avoid? (besides the obvious SAD/cooked foods). Would also consider supplements too!

Original post inquiry -- Something that truly helps you when you are sad, unmotivated, depressed and need energy.

Please everyone share what you have experienced and feel works with amazing benefits!! :) can't wait to hear what you believe helps .... Thank you for taking the time to list your thoughts....
If you could be very specific that would really help.

Thanks!!

[sptygl]

your best recomendation for "feel good foods'

Something that truly helps you when you are sad, unmotivated, depressed and need energy.

Please everyone share what you have experienced and feel works with amazing benefits!! can't wait to hear what you believe helps ....

Thank you for taking the time to list your thoughts....If you could be very specific that would really help.

Thanks!!

[russio]

I like to have a nice cup of Tea. It lets me meditate for a mimute. I also come here for the up-lift and read all the positive posts. As for food, I think as long as a stay raw I feel good and don't become depressed. If I had to choose one "food", I think it would be an avacado sandwich with all the fixin's. It always makes me feel like I am actually eating a "real" sandwich.

[AnniBanana]

well, it's pretty obvious for me.

bananas. i love to peel em, freeze em (i have half a freezer full) and throw them into my smoothies all the time, or eat them when they get really ripe. something about them soothes me. i think it was because when i was a kid bananas were equated to having candy in our household. it was a special treat!

;)

[jordanjuju]

Raw cacao powder. Remember, a little goes a long way. But it always lifts my spirits. Always.

[Eva]

There is a thread floating around about cacao -- and its HARM -- but it does make me feel good (temporarily). I believe in the long run it does more harm than good because it messes with the mind. What goes up, must come down. Small quantities, if you really genuinely want only a quick fix at a particular time -- it's great. Just be aware that it MAY cause problems later. Or it may not. So don't let what I say become your truth. Everyone has a different response based on the way their brain is wired (not that they're so different, but some people have more difficulty or less than others with things like concentration, etc.).

I have a really good recipe for chocolate coconut truffles that I have on occasion and like to share with people who are not raw at family dinners or whatever. You can click on my blog if you're interested. :)

Really wonderfully healthy, natural food that makes me feel great and can be found in most grocery stores? ---> a green smoothie! I LOVE very ripe, frozen bananas (yellow with about 50% brown spots but hasn't been dropped or anything so it's not from bruising but rather ripening) blended with some water and greens like spinach, kale or something else that's leafy, and usually I add something else. I seriously feel soooooo good after I have one (almost every day)... and there's not a backlash later where I crash. I just feel healthier and have more energy for the whole day.

[Eva]

Raw cacao powder. Remember, a little goes a long way. But it always lifts my spirits. Always.

Just FYI -- my post right after yours that mentioned my experience with cacao was not in response to yours. I wasn't wanting to minimize what works for you. :)

[RawDancer]

Green juice or a green smoothie and when all else fails cacao!

[rawstrength]

I drink a big glass of water, turn on some music and dance.
Or go for a nice long walk. Or draw a picture or write in my journal.
At times like these we usually are searching for another kind of nourishment than food. But if you're truly physically hungry, then anything healthy and raw will do.
I hope you feel better soon!

[Lelê]

Watermelon. It makes me happy for some reason. :)

Also, music. Lots of it.

[Rrose]

almond latte and chocolate!!

If I drink green juice, I fall asleep!! LOL!!!:eek:

[Raine]

A "feel good" food? I'm partial to the LaraBars and eat them real slowly. It's like being naughty but not so much. And they have so many great flavors!

They've also come in handy with getting my boyfriend to eating better. I've thankfully, after 13 years, gotten him off the pink stuff and he now drinks his tea straight or with stevia.

[jordanjuju]

Just FYI -- my post right after yours that mentioned my experience with cacao was not in response to yours. I wasn't wanting to minimize what works for you. :)

I understand. (= I'd really like to understand why it works for some people and not for others. Research needs to be done! =D

[rawnhealthy]

My husband and I like raw honey sometimes(i know, i know) and also drinking kombucha Really helps. It picks us up from really low places and fast too:D

[shine72]

Cherries when they're in season, a big bowl full, is just my big feel good food. There's something just so calming in taking the time to sit, just be, and eat a bowl of cherries. Georgia peaches too. Although, those need to be eaten over the sink (I am such a messy raw foodie!:o )

When I'm tired and need sustainable energy, I have two things I fall back on regularly. One is green smoothies (although mine turn out purple). And mine is an everything but the kitchen sink smoothie really. There are 14 different ingredients and I've found it to be the best mix for me.

The second one is what I call my superfood shake. There aren't a ton of superfoods in there, but it's a good mix for me and fills me up, gives me energy, and makes me feel really good. :)

HTH! :D

[GlimR]

Almond mylk w/cacao, frozen banana and maca and bee pollen...I feel great, energized, even keeled....always. I have no big up and no let down of any kind. I just feel better. ( I am someone who could NEVER drink coffee back in my SAD days...could not EVER do caffeine or my heart would race and I would feel awful...cacao does NOT do that to me)

Sometimes a tsp. of raw honey works for me too.

[jordanjuju]

Almond mylk w/cacao, frozen banana and maca and bee pollen...I feel great, energized, even keeled....always.

I have got to try this! *writes down recipe*
Thanks! (=

[GlimR]

Hey Jordan.....you can add as much frozen banana as you like to make it thick or ice cubes too....the best "chocolate" shake you've ever had!

[Vaclare79]

Green smoothie that fills me up. MUSIC helps calm any nerves. Dancing. :) That helps my depression, anxiety or any moods.

[rawnhealthy]

Almond mylk w/cacao, frozen banana and maca and bee pollen...I feel great, energized, even keeled....always. I have no big up and no let down of any kind. I just feel better. ( I am someone who could NEVER drink coffee back in my SAD days...could not EVER do caffeine or my heart would race and I would feel awful...cacao does NOT do that to me)

Sometimes a tsp. of raw honey works for me too.

This is similar to a shake that we make as well, except for the bee pollen and we usually use cashew nuts instead of the almond. (this conversation is making me hungry- have to go make shake:)

[RawHeaven]

Cucumbers make me feel really good. I eat like 3-5 cucumbers daily. Cucumber juice = bliss

Onions mixed with cilantro in a spinach salad make me very happy (but maybe not those around me) ha.

Juicy, sweet, crispy, slightly chilled Red Apples have been a feel good food for me since I was a kid. Love 'em.

[roseyonnex]

Mine changes all the time, but currently I love banana ice cream flavored with vanilla. I just do it in food processor. And right now tomatoes are in season, so tomatoes with just salt is just so good!

[tammay]

I do a quick and easy raw carob fudge for one!

2 tbsp raw nut butter
1 tbsp carob powder
1 large or 2 small dates, mashed

Just mix everything into a dough and roll into balls. I refrigerate for an hour or so but you can eat them without refrigeration. I think the mix of the nuts, dry fruit, and carob help lift me up.

Tam

[Ilse W.]

I really think we are programmed to feel good on fat. My favorite comfort food used to be boiled potatoes with lots of butter and some salt. I can no longer eat them, because they started giving me indigestion long before I went raw. I also used to mix peanut butter and honey for a treat. Now I take half a teaspoon of raw coconut oil and dip it in honey for a sweet treat, or my all-time favorite: an avocado with Asian chili sauce all over, eaten right out of the skin. I had that just about every day last week and still lost 2 pounds on the RAWgust challenge. Can't beat that!

[michigan roman]

i was surfing through and caught this thread and just went and whipped this shake up in the blender ;

water / ice cubes / 2 bananas / blueberries / carob powder = :D :) :cool:

[sptygl]

I think what I was looking for was more along these lines --

Foods for depression?

Does anyone know of any foods that are good for depression (or a severe case of the blues)? What foods to avoid? (besides the obvious SAD/cooked foods). Would also consider supplements too!

[sptygl]

Looking to focus more specifically ---

Foods for depression?

Does anyone know of any foods that is good for depression (or a severe case of the blues)? What foods to avoid? (besides the obvious SAD/cooked foods). Would also consider supplements too!

[Eva]

Are you already eating 100% raw food? The thing about raw food is that you are not taking in "poisons" -- only food. Because of that, your body is getting nutrients and the space to heal. If your healing is with depression, you will more likely heal with raw food if you give it time.

I realize there are many people out there who say that depression is genetic or is the result of an imbalance. I agree with that -- sort of. But I also believe the body is able to heal anything if given time and an environment of peace, love, healthy exercise and fresh air, and raw foods.

I was taking meds for ADHD for most of my childhood and as a young adult. I tried on many occasions to make changes and/or just wean myself off. I "needed" the meds even when I thought I really didn't. One semester of college when I had spent the whole summer weaning myself off then started the fall --- I ended up with a case of the blues, being utterly overwhelmed and failing four classes. What a crappy way to learn a lesson.

Then I went raw at 24.5 years of age, immediately quit coffee and the sometimes cigarettes and wine, two weeks or so later stopped the meds (it was Ritalin 10-20 mg 1-2 x/day and cold turkey: not recommended by doctors!!). It seemed silly to feel so good from raw food and to be taking the Ritalin. I also stopped the birth control shot when I was next due for it.

I haven't looked back. I live a different life now, and I can concentrate and keep organized, etc.

That said -- my suggestion in the other thread (it looks like you accidentally started this one twice) for feel-good food was a green smoothie. It makes me feel good because it's doing good things for my body = way better short term for the nutrient boost and good taste AND long term for healing. :)

[RawSinger]

I don't think there's any scientific basis for it being a "feel-good food" but it always makes me feel good: Nice organic fresh raspberries or frozen raspberries. One of my favorite foods; always makes me happy.

[sptygl]

i love this thread!! keep all the great inspirational feedback coming!

I am keeping notes here!! Lol
Such great suggestions.... Thank you all so much for taking time to write your thoughts and ideas!

Do you really feel gs make that big of a difference? Any particular type that you notice the biggest difference with?

I'm just starting to juice again, and pray to feel a true difference there. I'm at the point where I'll try anything, especially if any of you guys really feel it's a winner.

Much love and big hugs to all if you! __________________]

[shine72]

I think what I was looking for was more along these lines --

Foods for depression?

Does anyone know of any foods that are good for depression (or a severe case of the blues)? What foods to avoid? (besides the obvious SAD/cooked foods). Would also consider supplements too!

Anything with the good fats in them, and exercise. Good fats are what a LOT of people are missing (even Dr. Oz said as much) and exercise releases endorphins.

So, olives, olive oil, avocados, nuts and seeds. Ooh, and if you try durian and like it, that has good fats, and tryptophan, which is very calming to the system. And for exercise, do both cardio AND strength training. There is a different kind of high achieved in both forms of exercise. And I would say to make sure you include flexibility too. There's nothing like being cranky the day after the high cause your muscles are all balled up!

I've noticed for me, that if I'm not paying attention and my fat intake starts to get low, mood swings can come back for me. So then I know it's time to up my fats again. HTH! :D

[Veganforlife]

Two words: GREEN SMOOTHIES!!!

[mikeschn]

I like to take tart cherry juice... although I will admit it's to help with the aches and pains, more than to satisify a craving.

When I have a sugar craving I just eat an apple.

Mike...

[annavon]

Avocados seem to be my go to food for cravings, quick meals and to feel good. I like to stuff them or make guacamole and eat with flax crackers or cut veggies. Hmmm, I wonder when my new ones will get ripe;) .

[ncadotte]

Watermelon for me. I LOVE it. I makes me happy! lol ;)

[Theogirl]

Dates make me feel good, esp. if I have a sweet tooth. And cashews. I know they're not always considered raw but I watched a video the other day that compared two handfuls of cashews to the effects of an antidepressant.