Nutrition For Mental Health

MoodMatters Dietetics

Bringing you the latest information and the happenings in Nutritional Psychiatry

Hi Reader!

I debated whether to send this email. I drafted it Tuesday afternoon to send today.

In many ways, it doesn't feel appropriate to carry on with a relatively trivial email.

In the end, I need some normalcy, and I'm assuming there are others that need that too.

So, the original email is down below. But I wanted to share with you a snippet of an email I received today. It's from Bri Campos, and if you're not on her list, you're missing out. I asked for permission to share the email with you, but haven't heard back, so here's my favorite part only:

"Grief can feel a lot like drowning.

And if our clients are drowning, and we feel like we are drowning, the only way to survive is to hold on to each other, to keep us afloat.

Because, "Grief shared is grief abated" - Elisabeth Kubler Ross.

It might not lessen the fear, the anxiety, the hopelessness... But community can be the buoy we need not to sink."

Now, on to some normalcy.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I wanted to check in and share a couple of practical resources to help you support your clients during this food-centric (and sometimes tricky) time of year.

Let’s set them up for a holiday where food and family bring joy without unnecessary stress or comments about bodies and diets.

Guiding Clients on Respectful Language at Thanksgiving Meals

For many clients, Thanksgiving can bring challenges with family comments on weight, food choices, or portion sizes. These conversations can be tough, especially when clients are focused on maintaining a positive body image and a positive mental health outlook.

Here’s how we, as dietitians, can help them prepare to handle these situations with grace and confidence:

Discuss Boundary Setting: Encourage clients to think ahead about the boundaries they want to set. Suggest simple, respectful phrases they can use to redirect conversations that veer into uncomfortable territory.
- For example, “I’d rather not talk about diets today; I’m just here to enjoy time together” can be a gentle way to shift the focus.
Offer Scripted Responses: Sometimes, clients don’t know how to respond in the moment. You can help by sharing specific scripts for common scenarios, like handling a relative’s comment about food choices (“This dish has special meaning for me, and I’m excited to enjoy it!”) or body size.
- Reinforcing that it’s okay to deflect or change the subject when conversations become too personal or intrusive can be incredibly empowering for clients.
Promote a Focus on Gratitude and Connection: By framing meals as a time to be grateful for health, family, and shared memories, we can help clients focus on the experience rather than what they (or others) are eating or how they look.
- Shifting the narrative from food as a stressor to food as a source of joy can make a huge difference.

If you have a client that prefers to read or have a copy to share, you can download the resource below.

It was written by my good friend, McKenzie Harris, who graciously allowed me to share it with you.

Holiday Guide to Food Freedom[4763].pdf

Seasonal Recipe to Share with Clients:

While I don’t usually include recipes, this season of gatherings seemed like a perfect opportunity to share a nutritious, crowd-pleasing dish that clients can enjoy and share with others.

This roasted veggie medley highlights ingredients that benefit physical and mental health—and can be a colorful addition to any holiday spread!

Roasted Autumn Veggie Medley
Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

1 cup diced butternut squash
1 cup Brussels sprouts, halved
1 cup baby carrots, halved
1 red onion, chopped
1-2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp rosemary (fresh if possible)
salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture and healthy fats

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425°F (200°C).
In a large mixing bowl, toss the veggies with olive oil, turmeric, rosemary, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Spread the mixture on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until veggies are tender and lightly browned.
If using, sprinkle chopped nuts on top before serving for a bit of crunch and extra brain-boosting fats.

This dish is nutrient-dense, rich in antioxidants, and low-stress to prepare—ideal for clients looking for a simple dish to take to events.

Hope this was helpful!

Jennifer Hanes MS, RDN, LD