Perhaps the most puzzling aspect of diabetes is its connection to depression. "Diabetes is a chronic disease, and we know that people with chronic diseases tend to become more depressed than the rest of the population," says Alan Jacobson, M.D., a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School in Cambridge, Mass. And when you're depressed, you're more likely to stop eating healthfully and forget about exercise, which causes your blood sugar levels to soar.

But that's not the whole story. Researchers suspect there may also be a biological connection between diabetes and depression. But is the diabetes causing the depression - or is the depression causing the diabetes? "We're not sure," says Tuck. But what is clear is that "the patients I see who are having trouble controlling their blood sugar levels are generally suffering from depression as well. When we get those sugar levels down, the depression lifts and the patient begins to feel better," she adds. So if you're diabetic, it's important to realize that depression in diabetics can sometimes be eliminated simply by sticking to your diet or stepping up exercise.

Well, we know about the exercise aspect, but are there actually depression-fighting foods out there? A growing body of research says yes.

Investigators at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., found evidence that cold-water fish, walnuts, and sugar beets may be beneficial foods for depression. The possibility that the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, sardines, tuna, canola oil, and walnuts can help fight depression has been supported by several clinical studies. This may explain why Scandinavian and Asian countries with diets high in fish have low rates of depression.

Japanese researchers confirmed this McLean Hospital research — they also found that a diet high in fish protects people from depression and suicide, as did several research teams in Finland. They surveyed 1,767 residents and also concluded that eating fish more than twice a week has a protective effect against suicide and depression.

All this said, let’s look at a recipe that is easy and according to the research, will be really good for us. No, not another fish recipe. This is roasted walnuts! Walnuts are a super food. According to the Walnut Marketing Board walnuts are the only nuts with high omega-3 content. The nuts contain antioxidants, melatonin, fiber and protein. They have a crunchy texture great in salads, cookies, snacks and desserts. Walnuts have a special flavor brought out by roasting. Roasted walnuts are a perfect garnish or addition to favorite recipes. You can roast walnuts plain or flavored in minutes.

These are fantastic, and to know they help us with our depression makes this even more fantastic:

ROASTED WALNUTS

Use a microwave oven. The microwave is the cool and fast way to roast walnuts. Walnuts can be roasted in the oven or on the stove top but require careful attention to avoid scorching. Spread half a cup of walnut pieces in a microwave dish. Roast dry or add a teaspoon of cooking oil or butter. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir the walnuts. Microwave for 1 more minute. Use in your favorite recipe.

Make them sweet. Spread 1/2 cup of walnut pieces in a microwave dish. Add a teaspoon of cooking oil or butter, 1/2 tsp. brown sugar and dash of cinnamon. Stir well. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir to coat walnuts in sugar and cinnamon. Microwave for one more minute. Use as a snack, in desserts or for topping.

Season with herbs. Spread half a cup of walnut pieces in a microwave dish. Add 1 tsp. of cooking oil or butter, half a dozen rosemary leaves and dash of garlic powder. Stir well. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir the walnuts. Microwave for one more minute. Use on salads, asparagus, chicken and rice dishes.