Seasonal Affective Disorder – “Holiday Depression”?
Part 2 - Nutrition and Holiday Treats

In the northern hemisphere, the days get shorter and the darkness seems to win towards the holiday season around November-December.

In this 6-part series I will talk about possible causes of SAD - and what we can do to help!

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

For many people that darkness extends to their emotions, and they feel gloomy, down and generally miserable. They may be experiencing depression, sleep problems, weight gain, anxiety, joint pain, irritability, stress, or headaches.  This is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), winter depression, or “Holiday Depression”.

What are the most important causes contributing to SAD?

  1. Lack of sunlight
  2. Holiday Treats
  3. Lack of Nutrients
  4. Increased Stress from the holiday season
  5. Lack of Exercise
  6. Regrets and Worries

What Can we Do about it?

  1. Light Therapy
  2. Reduce Sugary and Junk Food (as much as possible)
  3. Take supplements 
  4. Relax – Your Holidays do not need to be perfect
  5. Move more
  6. Be kind to yourself – Exterminate the ANT’s from your Brain… 

 Each week I will talk about one of these issues.

So today here is Cause - and Intervention # 2 addressed:

Cause # 2: Holiday Treats

Holiday Treats are typically high in carbs and simple sugars, like cake, cookies and Holiday candy…

Many people notice that after a high-sugar meal (or a meal high in simple carbs), they get tired and sluggish.

Why is that?

After a high-sugar meal our blood sugar rises rapidly, leading to a rapid insulin release to bring it down. Often the insulin secretion is more than needed, and that can lead to an episode of low sugar (Hypoglycemia), where you feel tired, weak, and maybe even jittery and sweaty when your body reacts to it with a release of the sugar-rising adrenalin or glucagon or both.  You feel that as a leaden fatigue, especially often experienced as “afternoon slump” after a quick sugar-or starch-laden lunch.

Intervention # 2: Reduce Sugary and Junk Food (as much as possible)

Now that sounds easier said than done. Really, should I not eat any candy and cookies and cake anymore? Well, in an ideal world, yes.  But what is realistic?

So from a nutrition point of view we need to eat foods for high nutritional value - foods that give the best 'miles per gallon'. These foods are - unprocessed, organic, nutrient-rich whole foods such as apples, pears and berries and all vegetables, and also whole grains (oats, brown rice, whole grain bread), beans and lentils. If half your diet consists of these whole foods, you are on the right track for natural energy. Avoid processed foods and refined carbohydrates such as white bread, biscuits, cakes and white rice as much as possible.

To improve mood we need to look at foods that increase levels of serotonin, the brain's 'happy' neurotransmitter. A protein called tryptophan is converted in the body to serotonin, so we need to increase our intake of foods rich in tryptophan. This can be found in foods such as fish, turkey, chicken, cottage cheese, avocadoes and bananas. Eating foods rich in omega 3 essential fatty acids (found in small oily cold-water fish such as herring, sardines, mackerel and anchovies, and also in seeds) can help depression through improving the cell membrane and mitochondrial functions in  brain and body.

If the thought of eating lots of vegetables, fruits and whole foods seems difficult in the winter, think of making lots of warming soups, casseroles, hot berry desserts. Also, use what's in season - all those root vegetables, carrots, cabbage, celeriac root, turnips, parsnips  leeks and onions. Try combining a selection with some vegetable stock or bone broth (HERE is My favorite and easy recipe) and brown lentils to make a wholesome soup or casserole (add fresh/dried herbs for extra flavouring); and follow it with a delicious apple and berry crumble. Comfort food can be nutritious and can help you get out of the winter blues!

Click on an image below to take you to the recipe!
Low-sugar treats and a great vegetable soup!

black bean brownies

Black Bean brownies

best bars

best bars

chocolate crackles

chocolate crackles

foods eat cold flu diet nutrition 400x400 112 kb 300x223

Easy vegetable soup

Next Week...

In Part 3 of the SAD series we are talking about how lack of nutrients  can make you feel sluggish, sad and tired - and what you can do about it (besides food alone)!


Would you like to learn more in-depth about how to beat worries and fatigue?

Click on the button below to start Your FREE Video - Course "Beat Worries and Fatigue and Start Living again!"

About the author

Dr. Christine Sauer

Dr. Christine Sauer, MD, ND is a German-trained, retired conventional as well as naturopathic physician, a Certified Brain, and Mental Health Coach and a Nutrition, Supplementation, Weight Loss and Emotional Eating Expert. Through her own journey from the successful owner of a large medical practice in Germany through the abyss of mental and physical illness to complete recovery, she discovered her unique process, combining education, life and health coaching, to help her clients to "Recover Your Sparkle", to achieve lasting peace, joy, and 5-dimensional health. Her mission is to be a beacon for love, joy, and peace in this scary world. Her hobbies are science, learning new things, cooking, gardening, and her husband and dog.
She is also an international #1 bestselling author, TEDx speaker, mentor and trainer for other coaches and a loving human being!

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
>