Five Foods to Fight the Winter Blues

If this helps, I'm all for it!

Whether or not you suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) these foods are pretty simple and easy!

1. Lentils. They contain high levels of folates (low levels of folate have been linked to bouts of depression.) Other foods rich in folates include orange juice, spinach, beans, hazelnuts, chickpeas and avocados. (I make a mean lentil soup, in case you'd like the recipe!)

2. Salmon. It contains healthy omega-3 fats. Other foods rich in omega 3s include tuna, sardines, flaxseed, canola oil and pumpkin seeds.

3. Yogurt. It contains tryptophan (just like turkey) which can help your body up its production of serotonin. In addition to yogurt and turkey, chicken, beef, soy, beans, tuna and eggs are also high in tryptophan.

4. Beef. It's high in zinc, which is another mineral key to your body fighting depression. Other high-zinc foods include oysters, chicken, yogurt and whole grains.

5. Mushrooms. They're high in vitamin D, the same vitamin that helps your body produce the all-important serotonin. Also rich in vitamin D: fortified milk, slamon, tuna, fortified orange juice, and fortified soy milk.

(US News & World Report)