Halifax Donairs: A Canadian Recipe for Joy & Emotional Well-Being? | Mental Health Recipes

As a Maritimer at heart (I was born in Halifax, NS), nothing smells as good or tastes as great as a Halifax Donair (If you know, you know).

Hailing from the maritime provinces of Canada, this delicious wrap has carved its name into the hearts of food lovers far beyond its Nova Scotian roots.

• But what if we told you that this comfort food does more than just satisfy your cravings?
• What if it could also be a delicious route to more joy and enhanced emotional well-being?

The Donair is no ordinary fast food; it's a harmony of flavors that uplifts the senses and soothes the soul. Comprising a flavorful combination of spiced ground meat, fresh vegetables, and an unparalleled creamy sauce, all wrapped up in a warm pita, it's hard to deny the emotional comfort that comes with each bite.

But there’s more than just the taste and flavor in the moment.

And if you’re not in Halifax but craving (or dying to try this one!), this article is for you. We will uncover how to make this incredible, beloved Maritime go-to and discover how it might just uplift your mood and mind.

The Halifax Donair

Originally, the Halifax Donair hailed from the traditional Doner kebab. Yet, this particular recipe emerged as a way to appeal to Canadian’s palates. If you talk to any Maritimer, they’ll go on and on about how great Donairs truly are!

So, what if you don’t have a Halifax Donair restaurant nearby? Well, here is a recipe you can easily make at home!

How the Halifax Donair Enhances Mental Well-Being

While the secret of this recipe is in the sauce, I think the true powers lie in the immense amount of meat piled on each of these pitas. So, let’s dig into how exactly a Donair can elevate your mood.

The Donair Meat Might Just Lower Your Risk of Depression

Surprisingly, studies show how not eating meat actually sets you up for a higher risk of depression and other mental health disorders (sorry, vegans and vegetarians!). This isn’t necessarily to say one is better than the other.

Yet, including animal products is always an easier way to obtain enough protein during your day.

And eating adequate protein is associated with reduced depression symptoms. This makes sense, since protein provides the building blocks for neurotransmitters, hormones, and more, which contribute to how we feel and our energy levels.

The average Donair contains between 20-30 grams of protein thanks to its beef content. Most health experts and coaches recommend eating about 30 grams of protein at each meal, meaning a Halifax Donair is actually pretty well-balanced.

Related Article: Anxiety and Depression Can Go Hand in Hand: How Do You Know?

The Garlic Sauce Might Help Reduce Stress

Yeah, you read that right! 

Ever bask in the glow after eating a Halifax Donair? One word that comes to mind: Satisfaction. Definitely not stress or anxiety. 

But the garlic sauce might actually play more of a role in this than we think. In animal studies, garlic decreased anxiety and depression symptoms in rats. Another study indicates the ability of garlic to relieve acute stress.

Now, get this: Garlic is even thought to protect against illness and reduce pain associated with arthritis.

Both of these could reduce stress (as we know, mental and physical health don’t occur in a vacuum) and contribute to a higher state of mental well-being. Research further implicates stress as a major problem in chronic pain.

Thus, by eating more garlic (like in the Halifax Donair!), you might just bring down your stress levels a few notches, which can have spillover effects into your mental and physical health.

Related Article: Chronic Pain? This is for You