Our vision
A nutritional component to mental healthcare by 2030
At CNP, we’re building a new foundation for mental healthcare — one that bridges the psychological and nutritional sciences. Through research synthesis, curriculum development, and a unified methodology for studying the diet–mental health relationship, we’re closing a critical gap in our understanding of how diet influences how we think, feel, and experience.
THE CENTER FOR NUTRITIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AT A GLANCE
Connecting the psychological and nutritional science since 2005.
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CNP-WRITTEN SUMMARIES503
ENCYCLOPEDIA TERMS121
RESEARCH CATEGORIES2030
A NUTRITIONAL COMPONENT TO MENTAL HEALTHCAREMission
Poor diet is already understood to be a major contributor to disease and mortality, and is now also being examined for its role in psychological health and well-being. 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 that raises awareness of the DMHR, advocates for the development of the field and its integration into the mental health care system, and provides research, education, and tools for professionals and individuals alike. Together, we’re shaping a future where what we eat is recognized as inseparable from how we think, feel, and heal.

CNP's Approved University-Level Education For 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.
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...
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...
News
CNP keeps you informed with the latest diet-mental health news.
Yes, gut inflammation & cognition are connected, what a new study shows
Systematic data reinforces the gut-brain axis, proving that reducing intestinal inflammation preserves cognitive performance.
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The thin line: GLP-1 drugs and the rise of disordered eating
While offering metabolic benefits, the rise of appetite-suppressing drugs highlights an urgent need for eating disorder screenings.
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The surprising health benefits of cooking at home just a few nights a week, according to experts
Cooking at home fosters a mindful connection to wellness while actively reducing exposure to ultra-processed ingredients.
Read MoreJoin Our Growing Community
Take steps to develop your understanding of the relationship between diet and psychological health and well-being. Together, we can build a new model of mental healthcare to include this important piece of the puzzle.

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