S3-E56.3 - The Psychology of Decision-Making Around Diet and Professional Support

Send us Fan MailSurfing the NASH Tsunami hosts its first episode dedicated to nutrition and NASH with distinguished guest, Prof. Shira Zelber-Sagi. Surfing alongside this rich discussion are Ken Cusi, Jörn Schattenberg, Louise Campbell and Roger Green.Roger prompts this conversation by stating that everyone eventually makes poor dietary choices. The group agrees through various examples that the key is to not let a momentary shortcoming deter progress along the wellness journey. Shira emphasizes that relapse is part of the process and ought to be factored into patients' long-term plans. She goes on to disclose her love for chocolate and how patients can still have some of their favorite foods in their new diet. This leads Ken to describe diet as simply one aspect of a full-life balancing act. For him, perfectionism is the enemy. The group goes on to consider the psychology of decision making around diet in similar terms to that of addiction treatment. Louise notes that while the field of NAFLD deals with areas requiring immense psychological support, those resources are lacking for patients. In addition to including a dietician on the team, she adds emphasis to the benefit of cross-training physicians with education on mental health support. Ken agrees and comments that the US insurance system makes it hard for patients to get the collateral support they need.