I am lucky here in the Sequoia National Forest that I have ample space for laying hens and, this time of year in particular, I have an abundant source of eggs. I can tell you that just looking at the eggs (or a picture of them) helps fight depression -- the colors and textures make me smile.
Beyond their beauty and exceptional flavor, do they fight depression? The answer is: "probably so." In the book Rebuild from Depression, I identify the nutrient deficiencies most commonly associated with depression in the medical literature. I actually did a statistical analysis of foods highest in those nutrients and create a list of depression-fighting foods in the book. Egg yolks from pastured hens make the list. (Check out the now-available book to learn more.)
I say eggs "probably" fight depression because the most effective food for you depends on what you are most deficient in.
Hens on pasture eat bugs and weeds and produce a higher content of Omega-3 fatty acid in their yolk because of their diet. The commercially available Omega 3 eggs are from hens fed flax or a fish product.
Wherever you get it, Omega 3 fatty acids are critical for brain health. Many of us would go crazy without them. ;)
Make it a one-two punch and add some high Omega-3 salmon to your eggs in something like the salmon quiche below (on a PowerPoint-like and yet quaint YouTube video).
For the good protein and beneficial fats, even these gourmet eggs end up being a fairly frugal choice in tough economic times. For other frugal cooking ideas, visit the weekly Pennywise Platter discussion at Nourishing Gourmet.
@ Amazon.
Comments (6)
Wow, that's a fact! I know that Omega-3 can be also found in fish or other sea food. I don't know if fishes and other sea foods has a property to fight-off depression.
Posted by Dentistry Oakland | September 19, 2009 12:25 AM | Reply
Fatty fish are great foods to fight depression. There is a lot of seafood on my depression-fighting list. It's high in fat and minerals. The world does offer a lot of opportunity for eating and a decent number of choices also happen to help fight depression. :)
Posted by Amanda Rose
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September 19, 2009 9:18 AM | Reply
Just looking at your photos at the top of this page are depression-fighting! Love them! (free range eggs ARE beautiful)
Posted by tanya | September 20, 2009 7:00 PM | Reply
Free range eggs are so extremely beautiful. I love the eggs from my chickens!
Posted by Kimi @ The Nourishing Gourmet | September 24, 2009 7:40 AM | Reply
Found you through the Carnival. Yes! I had forgotten that eggs can help fight depression. And low blood sugar too, which for me results in "depression-like" features, mainly irritability and low energy. I thought it was the hit of protein in the morning that made the big difference, but yes! The Omega-3's. Thanks for this.
Posted by Melodie | September 24, 2009 8:02 AM | Reply
Amanda, please let me know the name of the website where the written directions to this scrumptious looking salmon quiche are. I want to make it soon!
Posted by Julie | September 24, 2009 3:36 PM | Reply