Figs
When festive stress reaches its peak (some time around 2pm on Christmas Day, perhaps?), the traditional figgy pudding may come into its own, as figs offer a number of calming nutrients. Dried figs are packed with fibre to help keep us feeling full, and they’re rich in potassium, good intakes of which are important for controlling blood pressure. Figs also provide sleep-inducing magnesium and fatigue-busting iron. They provide vitamin B6, too, which helps to convert tryptophan into serotonin (see Turkey on p20). Indeed, low levels have been linked to depression: one study found elderly women with the lowest intakes of vitamin B6 were 57% more likely to become depressed than those with the highest intakes. It’s an area that needs more research, but it certainly won’t do any harm to eat more B6-rich foods if you could do with a mood lift.