Ep 183. Uma Naidoo, M.D.: This is Your Brain on Food
“You can use diet to achieve well-being in every aspect of your mental health.”
Uma Naidoo, M.D.
Dr. Uma Naidoo, Harvard based psychiatrist, chef, and author of This is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, PTSD, ADHD, OCD and More, is regarded internationally as a pioneer in the field of nutritional psychiatry, having founded the first US hospital-based clinical service in this area. She serves as the director of nutritional & lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and is also on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Naidoo also graduated from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts as a professional chef and was awarded her culinary school’s most coveted award, the MFK Fisher Award for Innovation.
In this episode, Uma describes to Stew, in very practical terms, the ways that different kinds of food affect our moods, well-being, and productivity; how we can avoid the perils and pitfalls of over-eating or eating the wrong foods, especially when confined to home during the pandemic; and some useful suggestions for how businesses can support sound eating habits.
Here then is an invitation, a challenge, for you, once you’ve listened to the conversation, no matter what your current relationship with food. What small change can you make in what and when you eat that you believe will result in a demonstrably positive impact on your mental health? Share your ideas by writing to Stew friedman@wharton.upenn.edu or via LinkedIn. While you’re at it, share your thoughts with him on this episode and your ideas for people you’d like to hear on future shows.
Listen below or on ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, Spotify…