It’s common to discuss how our diet affects our physical well-being, but the Harvard Health Blog notes that there’s a lot of evidence that diet plays a significant role in our mental health, too. “Several recent research analyses looking at multiple studies support that there is a link between what one eats and our risk of depression, specifically,” the blog says. It quotes one such piece of research:

A dietary pattern characterized by a high intake of fruit, vegetables, whole grain, fish, olive oil, low-fat dairy and antioxidants and low intakes of animal foods was apparently associated with a decreased risk of depression. A dietary pattern characterized by a high consumption of red and/or processed meat, refined grains, sweets, high-fat dairy products, butter, potatoes and high-fat gravy, and low intakes of fruits and vegetables is associated with an increased risk of depression.

Also: Further research suggests the problem here isn’t that already-depressed people are eating less healthfully. On the contrary, studies have found that people on a healthy diet are less likely to experience symptoms of depression. Many medical professionals recommend what’s called “the Mediterranean diet” (Google it!) to improve both physical and mental health. As the blog says: “The gist of it is, eat plants, and lots of them, including fruits and veggies, whole grains (in unprocessed form, ideally), seeds and nuts, with some lean proteins like fish and yogurt. Avoid things made with added sugars or flours (like breads, baked goods, cereals, and pastas), and minimize animal fats, processed meats (sorry, bacon), and butter. Occasional intake of these ‘bad’ foods is probably fine; remember, everything in moderation. And, for those who are trying to lose weight, you can’t go wrong with colorful fruits and veggies. No one got fat eating berries or broccoli. Quality matters over quantity.”