Please note that all registrations have to be paid in full before the event takes place - otherwise you will miss out on receiving the Zoom link (this is usually sent two days before the event takes place). This event will be recorded for all those who are registered on the day. Recording is available for three weeks – the link will be sent after the event.

Growing research shows that a high-quality diet decreases the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms, and the risk of developing anxiety and depression by around 25%​. There are several micronutrients in a healthy diet which are essential for optimal brain and hormone function, and up to 70% of New Zealanders lack essential nutrients in their diet. What we eat affects our gut microbiome, which is also a growing area of research which shows an effect of our gut microbiota composition on our mood. Diet quality also directly affects inflammation and autonomic nervous system function, both which are implicated in the biological etiology of depression and anxiety.

Integrating advice on nutrition into clinical practice, just like sleep and exercise recommendations, can increase the value of clinical treatment. However, nutrition advice is more complicated than sleep and exercise advice and knowing what or when to recommend to a client to changes their diet needs careful consideration. Concerns include: some dietary suggestions (e.g. supplements) border on medical advice; some people become very stressed about making (or failing) dietary changes; and some people will develop disordered eating if they focus too much on their diet.

This workshop covers:

• What the research tells us about the relationship between diet, the gut microbiome and mood, what we know and what we don’t know
• What a healthy diet for mood looks like, including a discussion of supplements
• What nutritional interventions can be helpful with your clients; what you can help them with, and when to refer them on
• The ethics and limitations of diet as a treatment

Presenter: Tracey Bear

Tracey Bear, BSc (Psychology & Human Nutrition), MSc, PhD.is a researcher in the field of nutritional psychiatry; a field focussed on studying how food interacts with our physiology to affect mood and the brain. She has completed research with Massey University and Plant & Food Research and focussed heavily on the effect of stress on the microbiome-gut-brain-axis. She has now taken this knowledge to begin ‘The Nourished Mind Nutrition’ and works with clients to take practical steps to improve their diet to reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing and gut health.