How Food Shapes Our Mental Health | Food for Thought #20

In Episode 20 of the Greenfork Food for Thought podcast, host Stephen Zabala welcomes guests Vicki Braunstein and Kiera Kenyon to discuss the powerful connection between food, mental health, and healing. Together, they share how their “Food and Mood” program uses nutrition education to support emotional well-being. The conversation explores comfort food psychology, trauma and nourishment, barriers to understanding nutrition, more!To learn more about the Food and Mood program, visit Saratoga Center for the Family or check any of the guests' social media!0:00 Intro and welcome Vicki Braunstein & Kiera Kenyon0:25 “Food is Mood” program overview1:10 Vicki’s background as a therapist6:20 Reconnecting family through cooking10:15 Food as medicine and discipline in healing12:10 Nutrition and mental health connections14:20 Personal evidence vs. scientific evidence17:00 Balancing therapy and nutrition for mental wellness19:40 Understanding comfort food and emotional eating26:30 Trauma, dissociation, and grounding through eating29:00 Awareness and emotional triggers in cravings32:00 Navigating nutrition misinformation34:30 Listening to your body and the elimination diet40:00 The value of community and ongoing education42:00 Food is Mood group structure and goals48:00 Food access, CSA boxes, and advocacy work50:00 Nutrition in schools and systemic change55:00 Reconnecting with nature and growing food58:00 Youth empowerment through food programs1:01:20 Building bridges between farms and families