The feelfood factor

But can you eat yourself happy this January? Here JAMES MOORE looks at some ways to add in feelgood fare to the average 24 hours...

- JAMES MOORE

DREARY weather, festive bills, lots of bugs and no bank holidays in sight - you could be forgiven for feeling a bit glum at this time of year.

In fact, we're hurtling towards "Blue Monday", which some experts have dubbed the "most depressing day of the year" thanks to a combination of negative factors.

people who ate the stuff in the past 24 hours were 70% less likely to report depression, while another found that eating just an ounce of it daily for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones and anxiety. Go for choc with at least a 70% cocoa level.

BREAKFAST

Egg yourself on: Cracking open an egg for brekkie might be the perfect way to set yourself up for the day. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that folate, iron, protein and vitamin D - all found in eggs could help ease depressive symptoms. Try taking them poached rather than fried to reduce the fat content.

Get your oats: Make some porridge. Oats are high in fibre and will release energy slowly throughout the day. This helps keep your blood-sugar levels stable, helping you avoid mood-sapping slumps. Avoid processed cereals that can have the opposite effect.

MID-MORNING SNACK