5 Easy Foods That Helps Prevent Depression in Children

While there is no one specific type of food that has been proven to fight depression in children, there are some that can help. Below is a list of 5 easy foods that help prevent depression in children.

The consumption of certain foods may reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is amazing to find out how food can impact our mood over-time.

According to David Fassler, a Child Psychiatrist, Depression probably affects between 3 and 5% of all children and adolescents. And did you know that Food has a Positive or Negative Impact on Your Mood Overtime? Truly, food can be medicine!

Let us discuss the various healthy diets that may prevent depression.

1. Salmon

lemon garlic herb filled salmon depression lagosmums

Salmon contains omega 3 fatty acid which can help relieve depression and anxiety in children. Moreso, Once you hook a child on this recipe, s/he will keep coming for more!

Follow these steps on How to Prepare Salmon in a Variety of Ways
  • Lemon Garlic Herb-Grilled Salmon: Is a perfect grilled recipe to add to your child’s menu.  You can try something different by pairing it with dipping sauces such as salsa, mustard, butter, ketchup, honey, and cheese.

Try out the Lemon Garlic Herb Grilled Salmon recipe

2. Pumpkin seeds

pumpkin seeds depression lagosmums

Pumpkin has about 151 calories from protein and fat. Rich in zinc and magnesium and builds the immune-boosting system which may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. You can add this as an Anti-depressant meal to add to your child’s diet.

Ways to Eat Pumpkin Seeds

  • Boil, Cook and Eat your pumpkin seeds till it turns tender.
  • Blend your pumpkin to a puree or smoothie and add it to their morning bowl of oatmeal or homemade cereal, fruit smoothie or yoghurt
  • Baked pumpkin pancake: Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder spice and salt in a bowl
  • Whisk the egg properly, adding milk, vanilla, to form a watery paste and separate in a bowl
  • Combine the 2 bowls and mix till it turns a smooth paste.
  • Place a pan over medium heat. Grease it with your cooking spray and spread your mix paste to make a pancake.
  • Bake until it turns light brown on both sides

3. Sweet Potatoes

sweet potato

A natural glute free diet like sweet potato, vegetables, beans, and egg, can help reduce the symptom of depression in a child. Additionally, you can use this diet to prepare potato chips or French fries, which can be prepared in numerous…

Ways to Eat Sweet Potatoes

Bake your sweet potatoes instead of frying them. Sweet Potato Pottage should be added to your child’s diet which gives them a good amount of vitamin A and is rich in flavour. Children always love Mac and Cheese, mash some sweet potatoes into your child’s diet today. Trust me they will keep craving for more!

View the Recipe on how to make Sweet Potato Pottage

4. Cocoa

cocoa foods

Consumption of cocoa may have some positive impact on a child’s mood. It makes one feel calm by improving the psychological wellbeing of a child. Also, Cocoa contains more flavonoids, rich in fibre identified as an anti-depressant ingredient. For the maximum benefit of eating chocolate, consuming the darker brown is essential

Ways to Eat Cocoa;

  • Sprinkling some cocoa powder in their pancakes, french toast, waffles and baked cakes or pies is a perfect dish that will make a child savour it all day long.  You could also melt some dark chocolate and dip it in some fruit or even crackers.
  • Perhaps, you can also opt-in for a chocolate milkshake and smoothie with the cocoa powder blended in.

5. Turkey

turkey depression lagosmums

 

Turkey contains the amino acid L-tryptophan. This superfood promotes healthier and better quality sleep, offers relief from depression, and anxiety and offers increased emotional well-being. One Great Recipe to try for the family Stuffed Plantain Turkey

Consumption of some of these meals probably may not totally prevent childhood depression, however, adding these as regular items in your child’s mealtimes will go a long way.

Read Also: Ten Foods that Can Improve A Child’s Performance at School

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