Australia is in a mental health crisis and that’s why this year’s Dietitian’s Week theme is “Nourishing mind, body and brain”.
Dietitians Week 2024 runs from Monday, April 8 to Sunday, April 14.
Sale dietitian Simone Godde, strongly believes that what we eat impacts our mental health, and vice versa. Research shows one in five Australians experience a mental health condition in any year.
“A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods can help us maintain good mental health,” Ms Godde said.
“However, getting the right balance can sometimes be challenging. Some medications being used to treat mental health conditions have diet-related side effects.
“It’s important to manage these side effects with a good diet.
“These conditions might even be prevented, managed or treated through nutrition advice, as seen in the wealth of studies showing nutrition therapy improving mood disorders like depression and anxiety.”
Seeking help from a dietitian for anyone with a mental health condition can lead to:
– Improved mood;
– Reduced symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD and ADHD;
– Improved overall functioning, including increased productivity;
– Improved resilience;
– Improvements in weight, blood glucose, blood fats, cholesterol, and insulin levels, and;
– Reduced side effects from psychotropic medications.
Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) are university qualified nutrition experts. They provide dietary advice and guidance for those who are trying to be healthier. This includes people living with mental health conditions, diabetes, and heart disease.
Your General Practitioner (GP) is the best person to refer you to a dietitian. A GP Management Plan allows patients to get affordable dietetic help through Medicare support. Private Health Insurance with extras might be another great way to access affordable dietetic help. There are also outpatient dietitians at hospitals for pensioners and healthcare card holders. The NDIS, TCA, and DVA also allow cover for dietitians.
Simone Godde, a dietitian from Sale.
