How you eat has tremendous impact on the way you feel. Developing good eating habits is one of the lifestyle changes you can make to help yourself as you fight depression. Since eating too much or too little are symptoms of depression, it's important to understand the role food plays in your life, apart from feeding your body. Adult eating habits and patterns develop in early childhood, so recognizing the way you use food — or the way food uses you — is crucial to making those good nutritional choices.