How to Boost Your Mood and Beat the Winter Blues With Food

OJ: High in folic acid and tasty as heck. Credit: Mervi Eskelinen aka tasselflower

Foods that Beat the Winter Blues

2. Folate. Studies show that between 15 percent to 38 percent of people with depression have low folate (a form of vitamin B) levels, and those with very low levels tend to be the most depressed.

• Neurotransmitter Relationship: Folic acid deficiency causes serotonin levels in the brain to decrease. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a critical role in calming our moods.
• Easy Snacking Sources: As many as 200 micrograms of folic acid can be easily obtained from a cup of cooked spinach or a glass of orange juice. For a folate-rich dish, try fixing yourself a salad, including lima beans and chopped root vegetables like beets.