Wendy asks HSG:

Is it true that there are some things you can eat that will fight the winter blues?

Answer:
Hi Wendy,

This is a great question.

In terms of specific foods, you can eat, there is alot of research about this, but not of it is really definitive.

Most websites will speak about foods, like turkey, that are high in the essential amino acid tryptophan, which helps increase the levels of the "feel-good" neurotransmitter serotonin in our brain. However, there is not sufficient evidence that these foods actually are any different than other foods (see this article on Wikipedia about Tryptophan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tryptophan)

Another common suggestion is to increase your take of Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D deficiency can arise from inadequate intake coupled with inadequate sunlight exposure. Mushroom and fatty fish are great sources of Vitamin D. Since the real sunshine is a little hard to come by during these winter months, it's a good idea to eat Vitamin-D rich foods when you can. Oily fish are also a well-known source of omega-3 fatty acids, another nutrient associated, by some research, with improvement of depression.

All in all, we think that if you eat healthy and exercise regularly, then that is the best way to combat the winter blues. Healthy snacking always makes us feel good, because when you're hungry you're definitely not happy!