Depression and it can range from a feeling of sadness in certain seasons (i.e., seasonal affective disorder or SAD) to severe persistent negative emotions. Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder is the term given to the most severe depression, which causes major impact to all aspects of a patient’s life.

To diagnose clinical depression, health care professionals use symptom criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. Symptoms include feelings of hopelessness, anger, anxiety and deep sadness, negative thinking, angry outbursts, anxiety, loss of interest in once passionate hobbies, sleep disturbances and unexplained fatigue, self blame, and recurrent suicidal thoughts or attempts. While depression should be treated under the guidance of a mental health professional, doctors may also recommend avoiding certain foods that may deepen depression symptoms, such as:

1. Processed meats
Those suffering from anxiety and depression may sometimes find that when they eat processed foods they just feel worse. This is because of all the preservatives and additives used in things such as processed meats. These substances may give food shelf life but they do not do the body any good and feeling physically unwell can worsen depression. Excessive sugar in processed foods also can have an adverse effect. People may get an initial burst of energy but very quickly the sugar-crash sets in and depression symptoms worsen. Good mood-stabilizing foods could include fresh salmon which is rich in nutrients and has no preservatives.

2. Fried foods
Like all mental conditions, depression stems from the brain so physical brain health is important. Fried foods which are often very high in hydrogenated fats are therefore terrible for those suffering from depression. A fatty diet can lead to clogged arteries which in turn can cause decreased blood flow. When the blood does not flow at an optimum level oxygen isn’t being supplied to the brain efficiently and the brain’s health is at risk. This means that high fat foods are not only bad for the body in general but can worsen depression symptoms by physically affecting the brain.

3. Sugar and sweeteners
So many of us crave a sweet taste and whether that comes from refined sugar or artificial sweeteners it can be bad for depression symptoms. A candy bar or a piece of cake may be viewed as making you feel better and for a short time it may do that. However, long term that sugar wears off leaving your blood glucose levels out of whack. Real sugar can leave you with a sugar hangover once it wears off and this can affect your moods adversely. Artificial sweeteners can inhibit the production of serotonin which is important in controlling moods, often leading to worsening depression.

4. Salt
Our bodies need a certain level of sodium (salt) to operate correctly, but in excessive quantities salt is bad physically and mentally. High levels of sodium can cause disruptions in neurological functions, weakened immune response, and physical tiredness. When you factor in potential bloating and fluid retention, too much salt can make you feel physically terrible which can greatly impact your moods.

5. Alcohol
There’s a reason people usually find their emotions heightened by excess alcohol, it’s a nervous system depressant. Consuming alcohol will slow down your cognitive and motor functions while also dulling your senses. This means those prone to depression will find their symptoms worsened by the altering effects of alcohol. It is important to avoid drinking with severe depression as it can make symptoms drastically worse.