If you feel more stressed and blue during the winter months you’re not alone.
Millions feel down in the dumps during this time of the year for a myriad of reasons,
like…shorter days, less sunlight, the endless snacking on carbs and other fattening
foods, drinking alcohol and abandoning our exercise programs.
And one easy way to avoid the “winter blues” and feel more upbeat is to eat more fruit.

More fruit?
Yes, eating fruit can boost levels of mental well-being thanks to high levels of
antioxidants and other beneficial compounds found in it.
And if you’re thinking “what about vegetables?”
Yes, vegetables may improve mental health, but since we usually cook them,
they do offer some benefits, but not the same benefits as raw fruit.
Researchers say vegetables that are cooked lose valuable antioxidants and
other compounds, that help us avoid depression and blue moods.

So, if you’re prone to depression and sadness this time of year, head to your
local grocery store or produce store and load up on fresh fruit
and if there’s not a wide variety to choose from, you can always find frozen
fruit. Mix the fruit and make fruit salad or add some to a bowl of oatmeal or millet
or to green smoothies.
Another tip:
You may be tempted by dried fruit, but you may want to avoid it, why?
The sugar in dried fruit has been linked to higher rates of depression.

More tips:
Some other things you can do to avoid the “winter blues”:
Do 20 to 30 minutes of exercise if you’re stuck inside for most of the winter,
just go online to youtube.com and find a yoga video, or a stretching video,
an indoor walking video or dance to some golden oldies for 10 to 20 mins.
You can also find videos on how to cook lighter and less fattening versions
of your favorite meals (lasagna, baked ziti,) and desserts (choc. chip cookies,
pumpkin pie) on youtube as well.
Cooking this way will not only benefit your waistline, but your mental well-being
too.
And lastly…
Eat more fatty fish, (salmon, tuna, mackerel, trout, herring and cod).
Fish will supply your brain with much needed omega-3 fatty acids.


Sources:
* British Journal of Nutrition
* Danish Research Team

Please pass this post on to family and friends who usually experience blue and
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