When raw foodists encounter the word SAD, what usually comes to mind is the Standard American Diet, with its fare of fried starches, barbecued meats and hydrogenated oils. But, the acronym can mean something a lot more insidious and difficult to avoid: Seasonal Affective Depression.
The wide majority of raw foodists report increased happiness and elevated mood when they finally kick potato chips and burgers to the curb, but when winter hits and produce quality dramatically falls, moods may slump a little. Add to that the lack of light experienced by those of us living in northern climates, and it’s easy to understand why even on a raw diet, we are not necessarily immune from the dreaded winter blues.
Fortunately, it is very easy to ensure more than adequate nutritional intake planned with plenty of mood boosting raw foods. Indeed, what many of those reaching for little white pills at the first sign of a cloud are not aware of is the fact that even brain chemical imbalances can be corrected with the proper foods… and many of them are healthy, raw, wholesome ingredients. Here are the top feel good foods.
Omega 3 rich foods:
Many studies have now demonstrated the benefits of Omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA) in cases of depression, and the good news is, you do not need fish to get these precious EFAs. One of the best sources of Omega-3s is chia seeds, which are also an extraordinarily rich source of calcium, a mineral many raw foodists can find difficult to get in adequate quantities. A daily chia pudding with a little mood lifting cacao powder may well be all you need to get through winter unscathed. Another very rich source of Omega-3s is flax seeds. Dehydrated into crispy crackers, they also have the benefits of providing that satisfying crunch which many budding raw foodists
Raw cacao:
One often overlooked mineral is magnesium, present in abundance in raw cacao – and to a certain extent in cooked chocolate, which makes it a popular mood boosting food amongst the general population. Magnesium is known to be of great help in the treatment of depression and anxiety, but few of us get enough of it. Great sources of magnesium are raw cacao, green juices and leafy greens in general, avocados and nuts and seeds. Cacao also contains PEA, the famous “molecule of love”, also present within certain fruits such as strawberries. Now we know why chocolate-coated strawberries can create such wonderful “feel good” emotions, and are a Valentine’s Day favorite!
Hemp:
By now, most of us know that hemp contains a perfect balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. The reason why this fact is important is quite simple: if we get too much of one type, the other one will not be assimilated as well. Hemp contains the perfect balance of each. Hemp also contains appreciable amounts of zinc, another mineral some of us may need to watch. And, it would seem that hemp contains a certain amount of vitamin D, which we all need get enough of in the winter.
B vitamin rich foods:
Again and again, no matter what raw diet we follow, we are told to eat more greens, and with good reason. Look up the nutritional analysis of leafy greens, and you will notice that they contain nearly every vitamin and mineral out there, as well as a large amount and variety of amino acids. Greens are very rich in vitamin B complex, which are highly regarded in treating mild depression. Other rich sources are the various veggies such as bell pepper and broccoli.
Sunshine:
Why shouldn’t sunshine be considered a food? After all, it is a source of nutrients just like most of the food we eat, and those of us living in countries where sunlight is rare at times know to supplement with vitamin D. But, a lack of sunshine can cause more than deficiencies, and has been linked to mood disorders as well. Not surprisingly, many studies have demonstrated that the further north we live, the more likely we are to develop seasonal depression. Sunshine can be easier to get than we think, and you will learn in no time at all which areas of your house are inundated in sunshine at various times of the day.
Avoiding seasonal affective disorder goes beyond food, too. Just because we cannot bask in the warm sun all day long wearing skimpy swimsuits doesn’t mean that we are bound to hibernate until the thermometer shows more clement temperatures! Many raw foodists find that wintertime is ideal to experiment with various superfoods to add fun and variety to their diet. Learning to exercise indoors can also be a source of great fun to those who can’t stand the cold (it might be the right time for them to give Bikram yoga a try!), and those of us who are more resilient can delight in winter sports such as cross country skiing. By the time summer is back, we can all be stronger physically from the great foods we ate and the new exercise routines we picked up. And, we will also be stronger emotionally, having survived (and perhaps even enjoyed!) winter, which is often thought to be the major obstacle in a raw foodist’s journey.