A considerable amount of studies support the association of depression with nutritional factors, especially fruit and vegetables. Little evidence exists concerning mood and nutritional habits of pregnant women in Greece.

Our specific objective was to examine potential relationships between fruit and vegetable consumption and depression in pregnant women.

The overall aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional habits and the depression level of healthy pregnant women in Greece.

Eighty-eight healthy pregnant women, aged 25–44 years (mean± standard deviation: 32.41 ± 3.9), were studied with the aid of a questionnaire addressing eating habits and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Twenty-four women were found having mild to moderate depression (score 20–24, according to BDI) associated with lower consumption of salads (P < 0.05). No association was found between depression and consumption of fruit or fruit juices, or prescribed supplements (Ca, Fe, Mg, folic acid).

Interestingly, in our sample an association of depression in pregnancy was found with the consumption of salads but not fruit or fruit juices. The presence of vitamin B in vegetables is one of the factors differentiating them from fruit. So it might be a crucial element for further research.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.