Nutritional Psychology

  Intuitive Eating Linked to Better Self-Reported Health and Lower Stress Could the way we respond to hunger and fullness be connected to physical and mental well-being? Recent research suggests that intuitive eating is associated with better self-reported health, healthier lifestyle behaviors, and lower perceived stress among U.S. adults. However, because the study was cross-sectional, the findings show associations rather than cause-and-effect relationships. What Is Intuitive Eating? Intuitive eating is an approach to eating that involves paying attention to internal hunger and fullness cues rather than relying primarily on restrictive food rules or external dieting guidelines. Researchers in the United States examined whether intuitive eating was associated with physical health, lifestyle behaviors, and stress . The topic is particularly relevant because more than 80% of U.S. adults experience concerns related to weight, eating, or physical activity, which can contribute to ch...

  What GLP-1 Medications Reveal About Food Cravings Food cravings can feel like more than simply wanting something to eat. Sometimes, the anticipation of a favorite food can be strong enough to influence what we choose, how much we consume, and how we feel before we even take the first bite. Recent research on GLP-1 medications offers an interesting perspective on this process. Rather than viewing cravings only as a matter of willpower, these medications provide clues about how the brain responds to food anticipation and reward. The Role of Anticipation in Food Cravings Cravings can influence our food choices and sometimes lead to eating more than we originally intended. Interestingly, anticipation itself may play an important role. The CNP article highlights an unusual example from Seoul, where a 21-year-old engineering student created a fake food-delivery app that allowed users to experience the process of ordering food without actually eating it. This raises an intriguing ques...

 Child Nutritional Psychology: Importance of Children’s Diets for Mental Health Cardiometabolic disorders are often discussed in relation to aging, but growing research suggests that metabolic health during childhood and adolescence may also be connected to mental health later in life. This is particularly important because childhood and adolescence are critical periods for both physical and brain development. A study published in JAMA Psychiatry in 2021 examined whether changes in insulin levels and body mass index (BMI) during childhood and adolescence were associated with psychosis and depression in young adulthood. Childhood Insulin Levels and Risk of Psychosis Researchers followed nearly 15,000 children and young people from ages 1 to 24 . Fasting insulin levels were measured at ages 9, 15, 18, and 24, while BMI was assessed repeatedly throughout the study period. When participants reached age 24, researchers assessed them for psychotic experiences, psychotic disorders,...

 Nutritional Psychology: Understanding the Diet-Mental Health Relationship There is growing recognition that diet and nutrition can play an important role in mental health . Nutritional Psychology (NP) examines the relationship between dietary intake, mood, behavior, cognition, and psychological well-being. It also considers how eating patterns and nutrients may interact with emotional, sensory, behavioral, and psychosocial aspects of mental health. What Is Nutritional Psychology? Nutritional Psychology is the study of how food and dietary patterns relate to psychological functioning and mental health. The field considers several interconnected areas, including: Mood and emotions Behavior Cognitive functioning Food perceptions and sensory experiences Interoception and awareness of internal body signals Psychosocial functioning Overall mental health Understanding these connections can provide a broader perspective on the relationship between nutrition and mental health . Understan...

 Snack Quality and Timing: What Research Says About Cardiometabolic Health Snacking is a common part of daily eating habits, but snack quality and timing may matter more for health than simply counting how many snacks a person eats. A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition examined how snack frequency, food quality, and eating times were associated with cardiometabolic health indicators. What Is Snacking? Snacking refers to consuming small portions of food or drinks between regular meals. People may snack to curb hunger, satisfy cravings, relieve stress or boredom, or get a quick energy boost. Snacks can range from nutrient-rich foods such as fruits and nuts to less nutritious options such as chips, candy, and other ultra-processed foods . The Study: Snack Quality and Timing Researchers led by Kate M. Bermingham analyzed data from the ZOE PREDICT 1 study , which included 967 healthy adults in the UK between 18 and 65 years old . Participants recorded their food inta...