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American Psychological Association
The Center for Nutritional Psychology
Bridging the Gap Between Nutrition & Mental Health.
A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Educational Organization developing the discipline of Nutritional Psychology
NUTRITIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Research Library
Featured MONTHLY Publication
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Healthier Diets are Associated with Better Mental Health in Adolescents
Understanding Adolescence as a Critical Developmental Period Adolescence is the period of development between childhood and adulthood, roughly from ages 10 to 19, or even 24 (Sawyer et al., 2018). Puberty is a period of rapid growth and physical development during which a child transforms into an adult. Adolescence is also a period of intense...
Our vision
A nutritional component to mental healthcare by 2030
CNP’s vision for the future of mental healthcare is a one that includes the role of diet in supporting mental health. CNP is working to fill the void in our current mental healthcare model by consolidating research, developing curriculum, and creating a methodology through which we can view the diet mental health relationship.
THE CENTER FOR NUTRITIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AT A GLANCE
Developing the field of nutritional psychology since 2005.
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CNP-WRITTEN SUMMARIES503
ENCYCLOPEDIA TERMS121
RESEARCH CATEGORIES2030
A NUTRITIONAL COMPONENT TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE
Mission
Poor diet is already understood to be a major contributor to disease and mortality, and is also now being examined in its role in mental health. Studies from around the globe demonstrate this diet-mental health relationship (DMHR) and while many individuals have some awareness of how the foods they eat affect the way they feel, some remain confused, and still others need proof that such a relationship exists.
CNP’s mission is to serve as an online resource providing awareness of the DMHR, advocating for the development of the field and its implementation into the mental health care system, and providing resources, education and tools for professionals and individuals.
Nutritional Psychology's APPROVED curriculum for mental health and nutrition professionals
Nutritional psychology curriculum in development provides professionals with psycho-nutritional tools to help their clients develop the cognitive, behavioral, and perceptual skills needed for understanding the effects their dietary intake patterns may be having on their mood, behavior and mental health. NP gives mental health professionals another important piece of the puzzle for supporting their clients’ mental health and well-being by helping them understand how and why they can use food as a tools to improve the way they feel.
CNP Articles
Tracking how your diet shapes your mental health.
Consuming lots of flavonoid-rich foods is linked with feeling happy and optimistic
What is psychological well-being? Psychological well-being is an overarching concept in psychological research that encompasses feelings of happiness,...
Frequent Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods is Associated with Worse Overall Well-Being
An analysis of Global Mind Project data spanning 60 countries, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, found that frequent...
The Center for Nutritional Psychology Summary of USDA and HHS Published Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030
Editor’s Note: This CNP summary presents the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030, exactly as published, without...
News
CNP keeps you informed with the latest diet-mental health news.
‘A hidden blood pump’: How chewing more boosts your brain
Acting as a localized blood pump, mastication can increase cerebral circulation by up to 28%, supplying critical oxygen to the brain.
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Are ‘healthy’ foods and supplements undermining your mood and mind?
Modern food additives create ambiguous chemical signals in the gut, disrupting the vital microbial messages that shape our mood.
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Diabetes and your mental health
Clinical data highlights a complex, two-way relationship where metabolic stress worsens mood, and low mood impairs metabolic control.
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Take steps to develop your understanding of the relationship between diet and mental health. Together, we can build a new model of mental healthcare to include this important piece of the puzzle.
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