pumpkin seeds

Processed Pumpkin Seeds

The Joy-Killing Truth: Raw pumpkin seeds or those you roast yourselfare perfectly healthy. But those processed pellets in plastic packaging? Not so much. The food industry often coats seeds in a preservative called potassium bromate, which blocks iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid, says Graham. Without proper iodide levels, the thyroid—which is vital to maintaining good moods—can't function properly. In fact, the thyroid is one of the first thing psychiatrists check when evaluating a person with depression.

Healthy Switch: Stick with those raw or home-roasted seeds, and don't just roast pumpkin seeds. Seeds from any winter squash can be roasted and are loaded with the same trace minerals and natural antidepressant properties as pumpkin seeds.