In light of Mental Health Awareness Week, I thought I’d share some of the most useful books on the topic of food and mental health. These are hands down my favorites resources and what I consider essential reading for dietitians in the field of mental health.
Brain Changer
Professor Felice Jacka talks about the revolutionary SMILES study (first RCT using diet as an intervention for depression) as well as summarizing over 200 other studies in her book, Brain Changer. It’s an excellent read which goes over mental health conditions, various foods and diets in relation to these conditions, and the physiology behind it all. There are plenty of practical recommendations and answers to all the questions/myths that would generally come up (saturated fats, gluten, dairy etc.) as well as 40 pages of recipes. With enough science to keep your dietitian brain happy, I also feel it’s not overbearing amount for the average reader with an interest in this subject. I’m always appreciative that she is such an advocate for dietitians too. I was so looking forward to hearing her speak at the Royal Society of Medicine in London in October 2018, however at the last minute she was unable to attend the lecture! Rats! One day I look forward to perhaps attending another speaking event she is part of. 😊
Buy this book if:
You are anyone wanting to learn more about food and mental health
You are a dietitian wanting more knowledge in this subject
If you are interested in the ModiMed diet and would like to know about the diet in much more depth, along with have the sample meal plan and 40 recipes
Don’t’ buy this book if:
You’d prefer a booked aimed at nutrition counselling with protocols (ie book below)
You are not interested in food and mental health
You want recipes that have pictures/ color (recipes in book are black & white, no pictures
Nutrition Essentials for Mental Health
Another must have book for mental health dietitians is Leslie Korns Nutrition Essentials for Mental Health. It’s a comprehensive guide that instructs you on everything from how to conduct your assessment to implementing dietetic interventions using specific protocols. It’s complete with tables of vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and supplements along with their benefits, dosages recommendations, and contraindications. This book has definitely broadened my integrative knowledge which is an area that I think is generally not part of a clinical dietetics educations, but very necessary for those working in this patient population.
Buy this book if:
You are a dietitian currently working in mental health or wanting to work with this population
You are a dietitian interested in an integrative and functional approach to mental health
You are a dietitian wanting to set up private practice (book has health assessment forms, checklist, food/mood diary etc)
Don’t’ buy this book if:
You are not a clinical practitioner or won’t be using this information with clients (book uses many medical acronyms, medications etc.)
You want a lighter read about food and nutrition/ it isn’t your main area of practice
Feel free to leave a comment below if you think any others should be added to the list. :)
If you are interested in a food and mood meal plan, head on over to my meal plans page.
Take care,
Kelly x