Nutritional psychology

We all know that poor nutrition can lead to physical health problems. But, few of us realize that poor nutrition can also cause mental and emotional problems.

Several studies have found that simply following a healthier diet – without other lifestyle modifications such as exercise – can significantly reduce levels of depression and anxiety.

People are unique so there is no one particular diet that works for everybody. Foods that are optimal for one person might not be beneficial for another person.

When I first started practicing homeopathy I would spend hours working out exactly the right foods and exercises for each client based on body type, physiology and temperament. My recommendations were personalized and easy to follow, but no one ever followed my advice for more than a few weeks. This was rather disappointing but understandable.

I decided to ditch the ‘should and shouldn’t’ approach and search for something more resonant with the human spirit. I found the answer when I reexamined Ayurveda and Weston Price.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an Indian system of healing that dates back 5,000 years. There are a few ‘shoulds and shouldn’ts’ based on body type but at it’s core ayurveda is a sensual and mindful approach to nutrition. Foods are categorized according to sensual qualities such as taste, texture, and warmth.

People who are anxious or depressed, have to some degree, lost touch with the inner wisdom of their bodies. Ayurveda helps them reconnect with their inner wisdom. It brings them back into their bodies, and back into the present in a healthy way. Food becomes food again.

Weston Price

Weston Price was a dentist from the USA who in the 1930s traveled the world studying the diets of very healthy traditional people. None of the cultures that he studied ate the same foods. However, he noticed that the healthiest among them all ate foods high in nutritional density.

The value of the Weston Price system is that it helps us identify the most nutritionally dense foods in the regions we live in. It also reconnects us with our past and to a more simple and wholesome way of eating.