What is nutritional psychiatry?

The old saying “you are what you eat” points to the relationship between our diet and health. It’s a reminder that eating a balanced diet is important for maintaining our physical well-being. But research shows that nutrition can also have a powerful effect on our mental health too.

Nutritional psychiatry is a form of psychiatry that examines how the food we eat affects our brains. There’s growing evidence suggesting a link between an imbalanced diet and poor mental health. In response, nutritional psychiatrists advocate for using nutrition alongside traditional approaches — like therapy, lifestyle changes, or medication — to promote positive outcomes for their patients. 

How your diet and mental health are connected

Food certainly isn’t the only thing that can affect your mood and cognitive functioning. But you might be surprised to learn how closely your nutrition and mental health are connected. 

For example, you’re probably familiar with the effects of “comfort food.” After a long, stressful day, you might be tempted to head straight for that pint of ice cream or box of mac and cheese. This is because, in addition to being tasty, our brains process carbohydrate and sugary foods as rewards. When we eat these foods, our brains release feel-good chemicals called endorphins that make us feel happy and calm. 

The temporary effects of comfort food are just one example of how diet affects our mental state. Researchers are continuing to explore other factors like the gut-brain connection. Your digestive tract contains millions of microorganisms that help you absorb nutrients and process food. This system is called the microbiome, or gut biome. When it becomes imbalanced, it can affect your mental health. A recent study found that nutritional deficiencies can create an imbalance in the microbiome, and this may increase a person’s risk of conditions like depression and schizophrenia.

Fortunately, a healthy diet can also serve as a protective factor. Research shows that eating “brain food” can protect the gut’s microbiome and, in turn, your mental health. This includes eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and limiting processed foods. Your provider may also recommend nutritional supplements when appropriate.

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How nutritional psychiatry works

Nutritional psychiatry isn’t intended to replace other forms of mental health treatment. But for some people, it can be an effective complementary or alternative support. Nutritional psychiatry includes some of the same elements as other forms of psychiatric care. 

For example, providers will review your medical, social, and mental health histories, conduct an assessment, and issue a diagnosis. But they’ll also explore how your diet might be affecting your mental health. To do this, they may ask you to do some blood work, take some notes on what you’re eating, and discuss any food sensitivities you may have.  

Having a detailed picture of a person’s physical and mental health can help nutritional psychiatric providers create holistic treatment plans. For example, there’s an abundance of research linking high-sugar diets with depression. So if you’re struggling with low mood, your provider may recommend adjusting your sugar intake in addition to other lifestyle changes or treatment approaches that reflect your needs.

One of the benefits of this approach is that dietary changes typically have few, if any, serious side effects. It can also be a helpful option for people who don’t respond well to psychiatric medication or who wish to avoid them.

Next steps for starting nutritional psychiatry

If you’re interested in working with a nutritional psychiatric provider, some steps you can take include:

• Ask for a referral. Your current doctor, psychiatric provider, nutritionist, or therapist may have someone in their network they can recommend. If you can’t get a referral, check with local integrative health or homeopathic healthcare providers. They may be aware of a nutritional psychiatric provider you can meet with in your community or online.
• Check for credentials. As you explore your options, look for a board-certified psychiatrist or a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who has extensive training and experience in nutrition. This information may or may not be available online or on the provider’s website. But you can always check your state’s licensure board’s website and/or the American Board of Medical Specialities website if you have concerns.
• Verify your coverage. You may also want to check your mental health benefits with your health insurance company. If you’re unsure if nutritional psychiatry is covered, call the number on the back of your insurance card. You can ask whether a prospective provider is considered “in-network” and what types of psychiatric care you’re entitled to under your plan.
• Prepare for your appointment. Before your first appointment with a nutritional psychiatric provider, take some time to prepare. Remember, this is a time for you to ask questions too, and it might be helpful to write them down ahead of time. For example, you can ask your provider what conditions they treat, how they view the use of medication versus dietary changes, and anything else that can help you decide whether they’re the right fit for you.

Find care with Rula

While not a replacement for other forms of psychiatric care, nutritional psychiatry can be an excellent fit for people who prefer a holistic approach to wellness. A nutritional psychiatrist can support you in making dietary and lifestyle changes to improve your physical and mental health.

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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