Traditional Indian, Japanese and Mediterranean diets help keep baby blues at bay
Ancient diets could hold the key to warding off post-natal depression and boosting new mothers’ moods. This is what new mums should be eating.
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Adding flavour to fresh, healthy foods could be the key to keeping the baby blues at bay.
Victorian researchers have found a diet high in herbs, spices, fruits, vegies, fish, grains and legumes could provide protection against debilitating post-natal depression.
And traditional diets such as the Mediterranean, Japanese and Indian “confinement diet”, appeared to be among the best for boosting new mums’ moods, Deakin University’s Dr Rachelle Opie said.
“What we found is that if women who have just had their babies adhere mostly to these helpful diets … they are less likely to develop depressive symptoms … it’s probably got to do with the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory components,” she said.
“It’s another incentive to eat a healthy, balanced diet.”
Dr Opie, a researcher at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) and herself a new mother, said the herbs and spices used to flavour food could be fresh or dried, but should be used instead of salt.
Balaclava mum Sonal Pandit said she experienced the benefits of the ancient ‘Indian confinement diet’ first-hand.
Her own mother had come from India to stay with her for two months after the birth of her baby, Sara, now 20 months old, and prepared traditional meals.
Breakfasts of rice porridge, snack balls made of whole wheat, dry fruits and nuts, and lunches and dinners of flavoursome vegetables and lentil dal were served to her daily, Ms Pandit said.
“I was fed well and on time … and that helped me a lot,” she said.
Post-natal depression affects about one in seven Australian mothers, with symptoms ranging from mild to crippling.
Dr Opie said earlier research had shown a link between the diet of pregnant mothers and baby health and also between diet and mental health.
The most recent IPAN research showed this strongly applied for new mothers.
“We found traditional methods of eating to be superior . . . traditional Japanese style diets are also really wonderful,” she said.
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