Many studies have shown that a good diet helps in preventing depression. You can contribute to maintaining your child’s health by cooking balanced meals with proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, in addition to encouraging him to eat full and healthy meals.

Proteins

Proteins are composed of different amino acids. When your child eats food containing proteins their body will absorb different amino acids, which are in turn converted to neurotransmitters that are essential to maintaining a sense of wellbeing.
It is important to prepare meals with foods that are rich in proteins such as meat (beef, chicken, pork), fish (cod fish, sole, salmon, trout), dairy products (cheese, milk, yogurt), tofu, nuts (almonds), and eggs.

Carbohydrates provide the energy that is essential to maintaining proper health. Their consumption allows the release of insulin in the body, which leads to the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. Therefore, it is important to eat a good amount of carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates are found in different kinds of food such as fruits and vegetables, juice, milk, beans, whole grain products (bread, cereal, pasta, rice), potatoes, lentils and nuts. It is preferable to avoid eating sugary foods such as sweets, ice cream and sodas, but it is also good to allow your children a treat from time to time!

Lipids

In order to function well, your child`s brain needs a lot of fatty acids such as omega-3. Some studies have shown that eating fish twice a week might help reduce depressive symptoms and decrease the adverse effects of certain medications.