Special Edition: Food for Thought: How Nutrition Shapes Mental Health

Healthy Plate, Healthy Mind isn’t about dieting. It’s about feeling better.In this timely episode of ConnectForHealth, a Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa initiative in partnership with mentl, host Scott Armstrong (Founder of mentl) and co-host Maissa Al Khafajy (Head of Government Affairs & Strategic Communications, Cigna Healthcare) sit down with Dr Shefali Verma to explore how the food you eat, and when you eat it, can shape your mood, focus, energy, and mental clarity, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan.From brain fog and headaches to sleep disruption and cravings, the conversation focuses on the changes that make fasting feel steadier, and the habits that can carry beyond Ramadan.💬 Topics include:The mindset shift that makes Ramadan feel less like deprivation and more like a sustainable lifestyle changeMeal timing, digestion, and why eating close to bedtime can sabotage sleep qualityHydration and electrolytes: why water alone is not always enoughBreaking the fast: dates, sugar, and small choices that make a big differenceWhen to train while fasting, and how to choose what fits your routineConstipation during Ramadan, and why it can affect mood, irritability, and anxiety🎧 Whether you’re fasting for the month, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the link between nutrition and mental wellbeing, this episode is designed to leave you with clarity you can use immediately.📌 ConnectForHealth is a podcast and live webinar series from Cigna Healthcare Middle East & Africa in partnership with mentl, helping you thrive through every stage of life.Chapter List:03:35 Ramadan eating window, digestion and sleep basics05:07 Mindset going into Ramadan (lifestyle vs “diet” thinking)13:50 Meal timing before bed and improving sleep quality16:22 Audience questions begin (live Q&A thread kicks off)22:53 Electrolytes, hydration, headaches and mental clarity26:56 Breaking the fast: dates, sugar, and practical choices28:31 When to train during Ramadan (before or after iftar)33:07 Constipation in Ramadan, mood, and what to do58:15 Closing and wrap