“The best diet for depression is the same diet that’s good for the rest of your body,” says Schnyer. This includes plenty of whole foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains as well as lean meats and low-fat dairy products.

Your best bet: a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Your diet won’t cure depression, but some foods might give your body a little help in fighting it. This WebMD slideshow will show you foods that can help.

"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.

What we know so far can be summed up, more or less, as this: Whole-food diets heavy on the fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed protein can lift our moods and protect us from depression, while too much junk food and sugar may put our mental health at risk.