5 foods for seasonal affective disorder to boost your mood

It may help to try some foods for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) if you struggle with your mood as the mornings and evenings get darker. This selection, recommended by the experts, isn't a cure-all but it offers many of the vitamins and minerals needed for a happier seasonal switch. 

Whether you’re an annual sufferer or do your very best to make the most of the colder months, we all can relate to the dip in energy that the end of the year brings. "This condition impacts the mental wellbeing of some people during the winter months, particularly during January and February when the days begin to shorten," says Shabir Daya, lead pharmacist at Victoria Health, but it can start as early as late autumn with the shorter days. 

"Those who experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD) often have low mood, varied degrees of depression, loss of energy, sleep problems, irritability, increased appetite, strong cravings for carbohydrates and sweet foods as well as headaches and muscle pain," he adds.  

While we can't prolong the daylight, there's no doubt that our day-to-day eating has a huge impact on our mood. So, we can change that lifestyle factor for the better ahead of winter. Speaking to Daya and other experts, here we reveal how to combat SAD with the best foods to add to your diet. 

Shabir Daya

Daya has over 40 years experience in the pharmacy industry with specialism in holistic and natural remedies for common ailments. He opened up his private pharmacist with the aim to provide natural, effective and honest medication to the public. 

Foods for seasonal affective disorder

1. Foods rich in Omega-3

You may have heard that omega-3 being called 'brain food' and that's for a good reason. This super nutrient is found in several foods and we can enjoy it in several ways. 

According to Caitlin Spears, certified health, nutrition and fitness coach, one of the best ways to get omega-3 into our diets during winter is by eating fatty fish. Along with salmon, this variety of fish includes herring, mussels, and anchovies. 

She says, "Certain foods like fatty fish which are rich in those all-important omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to improved mood and brain function." They are also one of the foods rich in magnesium. 

She recommends eating dark chocolate and nuts for this exact reason too, bringing a whole new meaning to the idea of healthy chocolate.  

Caitlin Spears

Caitlin began her journey as a wellness expert over a decade ago and has since founded her own company Complete by Caitlin. She helps her clients reach their fitness goals with nutrition coaching and exercise-related training. 

2. Seasonal vegetables

Although we might dread the dreary days that come with winter, there are a few things which we can look forward to and one of those is tasty seasonal veggies. Not only do veggies such as leeks, potatoes and broccoli make delightfully cosy soups they are also really great at boosting our moods. 

"Seasonal produce is harvested at its peak ripeness, ensuring maximum nutrient content," explains Caitlin, who is also the founder of Complete by Caitlin. "Fruits and vegetables that are allowed to fully mature on the plant tend to be richer in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. By consuming these nutrient-dense foods, we can support our immune system and boost energy levels." 

It's time to root through your very best cookbooks and crack out some warming soup and stew recipes. 

3. Eggs

As well as being high in protein, meaning they'll keep you full through the morning, eggs for breakfast have actually been proven to cheer people up on gloomy mornings. Well, almost. 

Eggs are jam-packed with vitamin D, the same vitamin that the sun helps to bring out in our bodies. There are several benefits of vitamin D and as Andy Daly, a nutritional therapist at Dr David Jack says, one of these is helping to potentially alleviate some of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. 

"A lack of sunlight is often associated with SAD and vitamin D is known as the "sunshine vitamin" because our bodies can produce it when exposed to sunlight," she says. 

Andy Daly

Andy is a Nutritional Therapy practitioner and a member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine. She has also gained accreditation with the Institute for Functional Medicine and completed a professional plant-based cookery course.

4. Fermented foods

You probably already know that your gut plays a huge role in supporting mental and physical wellbeing, which is why there's so much attention on gut-healthy foods these days. So, it should come as no surprise that kimchi, sourdough and sauerkraut can help to lessen the symptoms of SAD. 

"Studies have linked microbiome health to mood and wellbeing, therefore adding more beneficial bacteria to the gut may help improve mental health," says Steph Baker, a registered nutritional therapist at Purolabs, pointing to studies by SRM University and Texas Tech University looking at the relationship between our gut health and symptoms of anxiety and depression. If you've ever wondered if your gut health could be linked to your anxiety, the answer may be yes.  

This is why Baker recommends eating fermented foods which are great for our guts. She says, "Increasing your intake of probiotic-rich foods, therefore, is essential to maintain and grow a thriving diverse microbiota." 

Steph Baker

Steph works as an in-house nutritional consultant at Purolabs, she has previously trained at the neuropathic is an accredited member of The British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy. 

5. Turkey

You may be slightly confused by this rather specific and strange food suggestion, but turkey is actually bursting with feel-good nutrients. And hey, what better season to start eating more turkey than winter? 

Similar to eggs, turkey is so great because of a specific nutrient it offers. "Tryptophan is an amino acid which is required by the body for the production of serotonin, our feel-good hormone in the gut, making it a fantastic nutrient to increase and add to your daily intake," explains Baker. For the same reason, turkey makes us sleepy.

"Turkey is a potent tryptophan-rich food, therefore it may be worth considering adding a few more turkey sandwiches to your diet in the upcoming months," says Baker. And if you're on a plant-based diet then up your intake of tofu as this also contains tryptophan. 

How can you treat SAD naturally?

• Exercise: As much as we may want to hibernate under blankets, it's really important to get out of the house and work out in winter. Spears explains, " Engaging in physical activities, such as walking, jogging, or yoga, releases endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers." Even just walking 30 minutes a day will do the trick. 
• Light therapy: One of, if not the main cause of SAD, is a reduction in natural light and there are ways to help with this. "Light therapy, also known as phototherapy, involves using a special lightbox that mimics natural sunlight. By exposing yourself to this light for a specific duration each day, you can help regulate your body's internal clock and improve your mood," says Spears. It may be worth investing in a specialist SAD room light to make the dark mornings easier. 
• Stay social: When we start feeling down, tired, and anxious the last thing we sometimes want to do is leave the house and socialise. However, when struggling with SAD it's extremely important to fight that feeling and be around those you love. Spears says, "Surrounding yourself with a supportive network of friends and family can make a significant difference in managing SAD." 
• Ask for help: If your symptoms of SAD start to worsen and it all becomes a little too much then you should ask for help immediately. Seasonal affective disorder, for some people, can worsen into long-term depression. Whether you reach out to a loved one or a doctor, suffering in silence is never the answer. These symptoms are serious and shouldn't be overlooked. 

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