• Choose complex carbohydrates that are digested slowly and gradually increase blood sugar levels, such as raw apples, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and winter squash.
• Drink decaffeinated herbal teas, especially teas that promote relaxation, such as Chamomile tea.
• Add foods to your diet that are rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids such as flax meal, wild salmon, minimal-mercury albacore tuna, fish oil, and walnuts.
• Eat foods that contain the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan, such as turkey, hummus, lentils, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds.
• Add nutrient-dense and unprocessed foods such as sprouted nuts and seeds to your diet.
• Incorporate organic virgin coconut oil into your diet.

Foods to AVOID include:

• All simple and refined carbs that are digested rapidly and spike blood sugar levels, such as white bread, cookies, cakes, etc.
• Foods that contain refined sugars, or artificial sugar-substitutes such as aspartame, Splenda^®, etc. Choose a natural sweetener like Xylosweet™ instead.
• Sodium nitrite found in processed meats such as bacon and hot dogs
• Alcoholic beverages in excess since they can interfere with normal sleep patterns
• Excessive caffeine intake – While moderate amounts of caffeine may be beneficial, excessive consumption can disrupt the body’s systems, causing insomnia and digestive irregularity (constipation or diarrhea).
• Excessive fluids immediately prior to bedtime
• Large meals immediately prior to bedtime
• Tobacco products – Cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals, many of which interfere with sleep-wake cycles.
• Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) found in many processed foods, deep-fried foods, fast food, and junk food. Read more about good fats and bad fats.
• Bottom crawlers, such as oysters, clams, and lobster that may contain toxic levels of mercury
• Deep-sea fish such as tuna, mackerel, and swordfish that may contain toxic levels of mercury. Choose minimal-mercury albacore tuna instead.

Exercise. While exercise by itself is not recommended as a sole treatment for any form of depression, it is considered an effective part of a treatment program for all forms of depression, including the mood swings associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Experts say that moderate exercise improves general health and the quality of sleep, and gives sufferers an increased feeling of control over their lives, which helps deal with depression. Exercise may also increase blood flow to the brain, further relieving depression. Try to exercise in the morning or early afternoon, rather than close to bedtime, to avoid disrupting your sleep cycle.⁸

Other tips for sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

• Discuss heavy metal toxicity with your healthcare professional before receiving any diagnosis or treatment for a serious chronic condition. Read more about heavy metal toxicity.
• If you have “silver” dental fillings, get an evaluation from a mercury-free dentist who specializes in the safe removal of mercury amalgam fillings. Mercury is a neuro-toxin that can cause wide-spread damage throughout the body and be a contributing cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Find a mercury-free dentist in your area now!

Additional Information about Seasonal Affective Disorder

1. Seasonal Affective Disorder Overview
2. Common symptoms of seasonal affective disorder
3. Common causes of seasonal affective disorder
4. Help me choose a natural and alternative treatment for seasonal affective disorder
5. Conventional or prescription medications used in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder
6. Cited Sources and Additional Reading for seasonal affective disorder