Dietitian's Day 2022

As long ago as 400BC Hippocrates proposed that there was a connection between nutrition and mental wellbeing when he famously said ‘let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food’. Centuries on and research still continues into the ‘holisitic’ nature of our mental and physical health.

Though the stomach seems a fairly unremarkable utilitarian organ, the magical world of the ‘microbiome’ with its thousands of bacteria and trillions of microorganisms, is now recognised as being integral to the functioning of the brain. So much so that what you eat and how you populate the microbiome can have a direct impact on mental health conditions such as depression. The central message of Giulia Ender’s best-selling book ‘Gut’ (external site) is that if you do the right thing by your gut, it will do the right thing by you (you can also watch her TED talk (external site)) .

This week is World Dietitian’s Week with the dedicatory day celebrated on Saturday 26 March 2022. The theme this year is ‘Dietitian’s Improve Lives.’ Our dietitians have the difficult job of countering the barrage of eye-catching advertising of cheap instant-pleasure foods with important messaging not only about what we should eat, but how we can afford and sustain healthy eating habits.

Melinda Bolton, Senior Dietitian at Graylands Hospital helps people to improve their mental health and general wellbeing by teaching them about the interdependence of the mind and gut.

She says that the most rewarding part of her job is "Being able to support patients to enjoy a positive relationship with food by providing education as to how certain foods and eating patterns can improve mental wellbeing".

We asked Melinda to give us her top tips for healthy eating and a favourite affordable healthy weeknight recipe, particularly during COVID when there are many limitations on what we can do and how we can support our health.

1. Keep up fruit and vegetable intake as much as you can.
2. Use healthy dried or canned alternatives when fresh fruit and veg not available
3. Stock up on healthy snacks (nuts, cheese, yoghurt, dried fruit, boiled eggs).
4. Limit processed foods which are often high in fat, sugar, salt and chemicals.
5. Make cooking and eating a fun and pleasurable part of your family and personal routine.

Tuna Poke bowl

1 x 95g can tinned chili tuna

1 x 70g can chickpeas with olive oil

1 x 125g tub microwave rice medley

1/2 cup red cabbage, finely shredded

1 small carrot, shredded

6 snow peas, trimmed and blanched

1 baby cucumber, shaved into ribbons

1 tsp black sesame or toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Carefully arrange all ingredients in a serving bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds.