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Health

Kick your junk food habit to beat depression

That fried chicken might be dragging you down, say researchers in Spain. They found that people who eat a lot of fast food and junk food are 37 percent more likely to develop depression than those who rarely order off the value menu.
By Alanna Glassman
Plate of chicken fingers and fries Wieder, Frank

That fried chicken might be dragging you down, say researchers in Spain. They found that people who eat a lot of fast food and junk food are 37 percent more likely to develop depression than those who rarely order off the value menu. In fact, after reviewing the eating habits of over 8,900 people with no history of mental illness, researchers also noted the risk of depression increases with the amount of junk food consumed.

Bottom line: Limit processed fast foods as much as possible — it will help your mental health. What are the best good-mood foods? Try the Mediterranean approach: lots of whole grains, oily fish, fruits and vegetables.

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The cover of Chatelaine magazine's spring 2025 issue, reading "weekend prep made easy"; "five delicious weeknight meals", "plus, why you'll never regret buying an air fryer"; "save money, stay stylish how to build a capsule wardrobe" and "home organization special" along with photos of burritos, chicken and rice and white bean soup, quick paella in a dutch oven, almost-instant Thai chicken curry and chicken broccoli casserole in an enamelled cast-iron skillet

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