When a person suffers from any mental health condition, one of the most ignored aspects of the recovery plan is their diet and nutrition. But what you eat has a significant role to play in your physical and mental health. So, eat these foods to help manage depression and keep your mind healthy.

1. Antioxidant-rich food
Usually, molecules known as free radicals are produced by the body. However, these free radicals can cause damage to the cells and problems such as aging. There have been studies that show that the presence of these free radicals can be harmful to the brain in particular. Unfortunately, these radicals cannot be stopped. But you can eat certain food products to reduce the harmful effects of these radicals. These foods are rich in antioxidants and usually include:

• Vitamin C rich foods such as kiwi, peppers, blueberries, broccoli, strawberries, tomato, oranges, and strawberries
• Vitamin E rich foods such as wheat germ, vegetable oils, margarine, seeds, and nuts
• Beta-carotene rich foods such as carrots, broccoli, peaches, spinach, sweet potato, apricots, collards, and cantaloupe

2. Protein-rich diet
Foods such as peas, milk, cheese, beans, yogurt, and soy products are loaded with proteins. Eat these foods to help manage depression and to maintain your mental health. These foods should be included in meals multiple times a day. They are especially good for you when you want to give a boost to your energy levels and clear up your head.

3. Dark chocolate
Chocolate contains several compounds that can boost the mood. The sugar content in chocolates can improve your mood since it can refuel the brain instantly. Chocolate can also release a variety of compounds that can make you feel good. These include theobromine and caffeine. It also releases N-acylethanolamine, which has a similar chemical composition as cannabinoids, which has been known to improve mood. However, some debate is still ongoing over the sufficiency of these compounds to get a psychological response. Despite that, chocolate has been known to be loaded with flavonoids, which are good for health. These flavonoids can increase the flow of blood to the brain, give a boost to the overall health of the brain, and lower inflammation. All of this can improve the regulation of the mood.

4. Bananas
Bananas have the potential to work wonders on lifting up your mood. They are rich in vitamin B6, which can make neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. One decently big-sized banana can give 16 gm of sugar and 3.5 gm fiber to the body. When both sugar and fiber are received by the bloodstream, it stabilizes blood sugar levels in the body and gives a boost to the mood.