The good news is that the day that is meant to be statistically the most depressing of the year is now behind us. But, if you’re like me, the cycle of heading to work and then trudging home in the dark makes me want to crawl under a room sized duvet with a block of cheese in one hand and a tub of Ben and Jerry’s in the other (mmmm dairy coma).
But that’s not helping anyone and believe me at the rate at which I comfort eat, Daisy the Cow would be checking into the Priory. So this week I’ve been searching for foods that give you a bit of a boost without breaking the calorie bank.
Walnuts are a great source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid which is a real star in alleviating depression symptoms.
Lentils are packed with Folate and Vitamin D which help boost your supply of so called happy brain chemicals - serotonin and dopamine.
Dairy products like Feta Cheese are great providers of both Vitamin D and Calcium which help fight mood disorders, like depression, seasonal affective disorder, and PMS
Beetroot is rich in Betaine which also enhances the production of the body's natural mood-enhancer, serotonin.
Cut each pre-cooked Marks & Spencer Organic Beetroot into 4 wedges (allow three beetroot per person). Place in a large roasting tin, drizzle with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and season. Roast for 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes, until the beetroot wedges are warmed through.
Tip some precooked lentils (Sainsbury’s have the fantastic Merchant Gourmet Ready To Eat Beluga Lentils) into a bowl; add the warm beetroot then spoon over some Marks & Spencer Lemon and Coriander dressing giving everything a good mix.
Plate up the lentils and beetroot and crumble the feta over the top. Finish off with a good handful of toasted walnut pieces and serve immediately.
It may be a meal packed with (completely legal) mood enhancers but the best part is it tastes blooming good and that’s enough to put a smile on my face!
Drinks Partner
If you’re being this good you deserve to be good to yourself as well and a nice cold glass of Sainsbury’s Vintage Cider always goes down pretty well and matches the strong flavours perfectly!