Psychonutrition: What it is and What Are the Functions of This Discipline

In recent years, a term known as “psychonutrition” has been gaining increasing popularity, although it is true that there are numerous professionals who have already been working in this field for many years.

Psychonutrition is a discipline in which two areas of health come together, which are psychology and nutrition. In this discipline, an approach is followed in which the thoughts, emotions and behavior found in relation to food are addressed, instead of focusing solely on the search for food in isolation.

In this article we will see what the discipline of psychonutrition consists of given that in recent years the number of cases related to eating disorders (ED), among others, has increased.

What is psychonutrition?

When talking about psychonutrition we would be referring to an interdisciplinary approach in which two very important disciplines within the field of health work together: psychology and nutrition. Professionals from both disciplines work together in order to effectively address various problems in which poor eating habits and mental health problems come into play, such as mood disorders and/or some eating disorder.

Furthermore, psychonutrition is a science that tries to study people’s relationship with food and eating habits, taking into account how the social-family context, relationships in different areas, body image, emotions, behavior and associated thoughts could influence it. This discipline not only deals with eating disorders, but also focuses on other problems that could be associated with eating, such as anxiety, binge eating, difficulties associated with food or rejection of one’s own body, etc.

Two very important aspects related to psychonutrition that must be taken into consideration are the following:

On the other hand, psychonutrition can help many people with various diet-related problems among which the following should be highlighted:

In short, psychonutrition tries to offer patients a series of strategies, theories and concepts in order to work in a more positive way. the relationship they have with food, with respect to their self-image and also their self-esteem as well as addressing other possible associated psychological problems.

Who works in the field of psychonutrition?

As we have seen, in the field of psychonutrition, interdisciplinary work is carried out where psychologists and nutritionists intervene in order to be able to address in the best possible way all those problems that patients may present (e.g., disorders of the eating behavior, emotional eating, bad eating habits and misinformation or lack of motivation to improve them, etc.).

Now, to be adequately qualified to practice the profession within this field of health the following requirements must be met:

Notably A psychologist could not cover the functions of the nutritionist, at the same time that the nutritionist could not fulfill those of the psychologist, and that is why interdisciplinary work involving two qualified professionals in both health disciplines is essential. However, it could be that a person was in possession of both qualifications so that the entire work could be covered.

It is important that the dietitian-nutritionist can identify signs or possible risk factors of an eating disorder, problems related to emotional eating, binge eating, possible psychological problems associated with weight control or even obesity or compulsive eating or others. psychological problems associated with bad eating habits in order to be able to refer them to a psychologist.

At the same time, the psychologist should be able to evaluate and recognize possible eating patterns that were affected or inadequate, lack of knowledge or erroneous beliefs regarding food, as well as be able to detect factors that could cause nutritional deficiencies in order to to derive these problems so that the dietician-nutritionist can adequately address them, and it is most advisable in this type of case for both professionals to work together.

• Related article: “10 psychologically healthy daily habits, and how to apply them to your life”

The functions of psychologists in the field of psychonutrition

Within the field of psychonutrition, the figure of the psychologist is very important, since he is the one who would be in charge of identifying, carrying out an analysis and adequately managing all those psychological, emotional and behavioral processes associated with the implementation of a series of healthy habits. in patients and, of course, to help by providing psychological support in order to maintain them in the long term.

For it, psychological therapy or psychological support during the process of changing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle It is a fundamental pillar in psychonutrition.

Among the main functions of psychologists who work within the field of psychonutrition, the following should be highlighted:

• Detect the possible causes that lead each patient to have a bad relationship with food and work with them.
• Provide help to patients to become aware of their eating behavior.
• Help patients be aware of their behavior regarding exercise and body image.
• Work with patients on body image and possible irrational beliefs associated with it.
• I work with the patient regarding his refusal to carry out some healthy habits.
• Help the patient face possible barriers and blockages, as well as work with emotions and demands.
• Help the patient find coping strategies.
• Work with the patient on their self-care, self-concept and self-esteem.
• Work on motivation so that the patient leads a healthy lifestyle and eats properly.

The functions of the dietitian-nutritionist in the field of psychonutrition

In psychonutrition, the work of the dietitian-nutritionist is essential, because patients who receive this type of professional help suffer from some difficulty related to eating habits.

It is the job of the dietician-nutritionist to do the following:: offer basic and important information about adequate and healthy eating, educate about controlling food portions or develop appropriate eating plans according to each patient after having made a thorough prior evaluation, among others.

Furthermore, the main functions of the dietitian-nutritionist within the field of psychonutrition would be those that we are going to list below:

• Make an evaluation about the patient’s eating habits.
• Explain important concepts: fat, weight, healthy and unhealthy foods, etc.
• Influence work with strategies that can help the patient develop a change in habits.
• Identify myths about food and work on them.
• Together with the psychologist, encourage the patient’s motivation to lead a healthy lifestyle.
• Work on those strategies that could help the patient control the feeling of hunger and satiety.

On the other hand, within the field of psychonutrition It is very important that there is continuous communication between professionals so that psychologists and nutritionists can guide the patient in the same direction, being able to detect in time any indication or signal that something is not going well and holding frequent meetings in order to jointly analyze and delve into everything that is associated with the problems of each patient in order to be able to provide the best possible help to improve both their physical and psychological health.