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NP 510

Psychonutritional Assessment in Nutritional Psychology

$299 USD

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NP 510

Psychonutritional Assessment in Nutritional Psychology

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$299 USD

10.5 CE for Mental Health and Nutrition Professionals and National Certified Counselors

CNP Courses in Certificate #3:

NP 510 NP 520 Part I NP 520 Part II NP 550

This course prepares professionals to incorporate the Psychonutritional Assessment Battery (PAB) into clinical practice. This battery for Nutritional Psychology professionals comprises 13 validated psychonutritional assessment measures encompassing more than 60 psychological constructs related to eating behavior and mental health. Through in-depth instruction, you’ll gain the skills to evaluate, interpret, and apply these measures in educational and clinical contexts.

Developed through an extensive review of empirically-validated research tools spanning the psychological and nutritional sciences, the course prepares you to integrate research-based assessment scales into clinical practice. By doing so, you can systematically evaluate the complex relationships between diet and mental health, identify meaningful patterns in client behavior, and use these insights to create more targeted and effective treatment plans.

This first-of-its-kind assessment battery in nutritional psychology is rooted in the concepts, methods, evidence base, and language of nutritional psychology and enables you to support the establishment of clear client baselines in the diet-mental health relationship, tailor interventions to individual needs, track progress with measurable outcomes, and adjust strategies based on evidence over time. Ultimately, it enables a more data-informed, transparent, and personalized approach to supporting mental health through nutrition.

Integrating this assessment component into clinical practice can expand both the scope and depth of your work while differentiating your practice by positioning you as a clinician who systematically incorporates nutrition-related psychological assessment into mental health care, attracting clients seeking a more holistic, evidence-informed approach. Prerequisites for this course include completion of Certificates 1 and 2 in nutritional psychology.

 

The Psychonutritional Assessment Battery (PAB)
in Nutritional Psychology

Developed by The Center for Nutritional Psychology, the Psychonutritional Assessment Battery (PAB) was created by an interdisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians in the psychological and nutritional sciences. The validity of assessments within the PAB clinical assessment battery was examined in hundreds of validation studies and encompasses 13 assessment scales that evaluate over 60 psychological constructs related to eating behavior and mental health.

Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ)

The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) is a 51-item self-report tool that evaluates key cognitive and behavioral aspects of eating behavior. It measures three main factors: Cognitive Restraint (the purposeful limitation of food intake); Disinhibited Eating (the tendency to overeat in response to cues); and Susceptibility to Hunger (frequency and intensity of hunger sensations). The TFEQ is widely used in research and clinical settings to identify behavioral patterns that contribute to maladaptive eating habits.

Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ)

The Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) is a self-report measure that evaluates three dimensions of eating behavior: Emotional Eating, External Eating, and Restrained Eating. It examines the tendency to eat in response to emotions or boredom, to external food cues such as sight or smell, and to consciously restrict food intake. According to Externality Theory, individuals high in external eating may be especially vulnerable to overeating and weight gain in environments where food is readily available.

Yale Food Addiction Scale

The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) is a 25-item self-report questionnaire developed to identify addictive-like eating behaviors, first introduced by Gearhardt and colleagues in 2009. It adapts the seven substance addiction criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to assess dependence on foods high in fat and sugar. The YFAS determines both the number of addiction-like symptoms present and whether they cause significant distress or impairment, with a shorter 9-item version also available.

Power of Food Scale

The Power of Food Scale (PFS) is a 21-item self-report questionnaire that measures how strongly individuals think about, desire, and are motivated by food in an environment where it is readily available. It captures hedonic hunger—the drive to eat for pleasure rather than to satisfy physical hunger—by assessing reactions to food when it is merely available, visible but uneaten, or being tasted. The PFS also offers an overall measure of how much food influences a person’s thoughts and behaviors, making it a useful measure in both research and clinical settings.

Reward-Based Eating Drive Scale

The Reward-Based Eating Drive (RED) Scale is a self-report questionnaire that assesses how strongly an individual is motivated by food and prone to reward-driven eating. It measures three key aspects of this tendency: Lack of Control Over Eating, Lack of Satiety, and Preoccupation with Food. In clinical and research settings, the RED Scale helps identify individuals who may exhibit problematic eating patterns driven by heightened sensitivity to the rewarding qualities of food.

Food Cravings Questionnaire

The Food Noise Questionnaire (FNQ) is a brief 5-item self-report measure designed to assess a single construct—Proneness to Food Noise, or the tendency to constantly think about eating. Individuals with higher scores experience a continuous inner dialogue related to food, reflecting a persistent mental preoccupation. These recurring thoughts typically revolve around what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat again.

Food Noise Questionnaire

The Food Noise Questionnaire (FNQ) is a brief 5-item self-report measure designed to assess a single construct—proneness to food noise, or the tendency to constantly think about eating. Individuals with higher scores experience a continuous inner dialogue related to food, reflecting a persistent mental preoccupation. These recurring thoughts typically revolve around what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat again.

Food-Mood Questionnaire

The Food-Mood Questionnaire (FMQ) is a self-report instrument based on the premise that brain function and food intake are closely linked, as brain function depends on nutrient availability. It measures five constructs: one related to mental health—Mental Distress Pattern—and four reflecting dietary habits, including the Healthy, Breakfast, Western diet, and Supplement patterns. This brief assessment helps clinicians simultaneously gauge a client’s psychological distress and identify dietary patterns that may contribute to their mental well-being.

Short Screening Questionnaire for Highly Processed Food Consumption

The Short Screening Questionnaire for Highly Processed Food Consumption (sQ-HPF) is a 14-item food-frequency questionnaire that estimates highly processed food consumption based on responses to the frequency of consumption of 14 food categories. It measures a single construct: proneness to consume highly processed foods. The scale scores can be converted to estimates of the percentage of highly processed foods in an individual's total food intake.

Nutrition Security Screener (NSS)

The Nutrition Security Screener (NSS) is a brief 2-item self-report tool designed to assess access to healthy foods and the barriers that limit it. Developed in 2022 by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, and public health experts, it evaluates both the difficulty of obtaining nutritious foods and the specific obstacles households face. A short preamble helps respondents understand which types of foods support health and well-being, ensuring more accurate and meaningful responses.

Mindful Eating Questionnaire

The Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) is a 28-item self-report scale designed to assess the degree to which individuals practice mindful eating. It defines mindful eating as a nonjudgmental awareness of the physical and emotional experiences associated with eating. The MEQ measures five dimensions of this construct: Disinhibition, Awareness, External Cues, Emotional Response, and Distraction.

Self-Compassion Scale

The Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) is a 26-item self-report measure grounded in the Buddhist Insight tradition that assesses how much individuals extend kindness and understanding toward themselves. It evaluates self-compassion as a cognitive skill encompassing self-kindness over self-judgment, recognition of shared humanity over isolation, and mindful balance over over-identification with distress. The SCS produces both a total self-compassion score and six subdimension scores, reflecting the positive and negative poles of these three core aspects.

This Clinical Applications course is designed for those who have completed Certificates 1 and 2 (Theoretical Foundations and Biological Mechanisms) in the CNP Micro-Degree pathway. This course is designed for licensed professionals and trainees in psychology, counseling, nutrition, and related fields pursuing competency in psychonutritional assessment and practice. See the Course Flyer.

NP 510 is fully online, self-paced, and text-based, with figures/tables and voiced videos, a final exam, and a course evaluation. The pace at which you complete this course will depend on your personal reading, comprehension, and learning style. Once enrolled, you will have full online access for 4 months (120 days), which must be completed (along with the course evaluation) in full to receive credit and a Certificate of Completion. While this course is not downloadable, a Course Download Kit containing all of the terms and definitions, figures, case studies, and APA-formatted references is provided.

Learning Objectives

  • Name four psychonutritional assessment measures used within nutritional psychology.
  • State three core psychonutritional constructs and explain their relevance to psychonutritional clinical applications/interventions.
  • Explain the development and history of three well-validated assessment instruments to explore eating behaviors, psychological influences on eating (e.g., emotional regulation, stress response, social and environmental factors), and nutrition-related psychological functioning.
  • Design two individualized psychonutritional assessment batteries that integrate multiple evidence-informed measures to match a client’s presenting concerns, level of care, and contextual factors, supporting clinically meaningful formulation and care planning.
  • Self-administer at least two psychonutritional measures using standardized administration and scoring procedures, and demonstrate the ability to interpret results to better understand your own personal diet–mental health relationship.

Course Logistics

CNP is approved to sponsor Continuing Education (CE) for professionals through the following organizations:

  • The American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor Continuing Education (CE) for Psychologists;
  • The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) (provider #1000102) for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs;
  • The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) for licensed Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians Registered (RDs/DTRs) through Activity Type 742 Eligible Enduring;
  • The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) for National Certified Counselors (NCCs).

This course provides 10.5 CE for Psychologists, RDs, DTRs, LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, LEPs, and National Certified Counselors (NCCs).

CNP maintains responsibility for this program and its content. CNP, the organization offering this course, is committed to ethical standards, resolving conflicts of interest in its programs, and ensuring unbiased, evidence-based education. Registering for NP 510 indicates that you have read and agreed to CNP’s Course Policy.

CNP is committed to identifying and resolving potential conflicts of interest in planning, promoting, delivering, and evaluating its continuing education curriculum and programs. As an APA-approved continuing education sponsor, and consistent with concepts outlined in the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, no individual involved in the planning, promotion, delivery, or evaluation of CNP continuing education has any personal, professional, legal, financial, or other interests that could reasonably be expected to impair his, her, or their objectivity, competence, or effectiveness.

CNP upholds the highest ethical standards in developing and delivering its continuing education programs. As an APA-approved sponsor, CNP adheres to the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. All course content is science-based, free from commercial bias, and developed by individuals with no relevant conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts are reviewed, resolved, and documented prior to release.

The instructors, Dr. Vladimir Hedrih, Dr. Amanda Hull, and Dr. Meagan Lasecke, affirm that there are no known financial or other conflicts related to this educational activity, and that all relevant relationships have been disclosed and reviewed for objectivity and scientific rigor. Opinions expressed are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the APA or the sponsoring organization.

Who is this course for?

  • Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Mental Health Counselors
  • Dietitians, Nutritionists, Health Coaches, Culinary Chefs
  • Undergraduate, Graduate, and Post-Doctoral Students in any related field
  • Case Managers and Social Workers
  • Educators and School Counselors
  • Substance Use Counselors
  • Nurses/Physicians/Psychiatrists/Physician Assistants
  • Those interested in the connections between the psychological & nutritional sciences

Prerequisites

This course is for NP Learners who have completed the following courses/certificates in nutritional psychology:

  • Theoretical Foundations Certificate in Nutritional Psychology (NP-F) (Certificate 1: NP 110, 310, 320) and
  • Biological Mechanisms in Nutritional Psychology (NP-M) (Certificate 2: NP 120 Part I & II, NP 150 Part I & II).

Scope of Practice

This course presents the evidence, knowledge, conceptual learning, and tools needed to incorporate psychonutritional assessment into clinical practice. It does not provide:

  • The ability for mental health professionals to act or portray themselves as nutritionists or dietitians
  • The ability for nutritionists/dietitians to act or portray themselves as mental health professionals
  • A method for weight loss or weight control, or a “cure” for mental health disorders
  • A license to provide medical advice

This course provides knowledge of the:

  • Theoretical basis through which the psychological and nutritional sciences interconnect
  • Skills needed to implement psychonutritional assessment tools into clinical practice
  • Ability to use psycholonutritional assessment as a basis for more objectively exploring eating behaviors in relation to psychological health
  • Language and framework used within psychonutritional assessment

Q&A

NP 510 Course Q&A

A: Yes, completion of Certificate 1 (Theoretical Applications) and 2 (Biological Mechanisms) in nutritional psychology must be completed before you take this first course in Certificate #3. These first two certificates prepare you to understand the language, conceptual framework, and biological mechanisms in the diet-mental health relationship within nutritional psychology, and serve as a backbone for understanding psychonutritional assessment.

A: Yes, this course is taught fully online through the CNP educational platform and can be completed at your own pace. Note: once enrolled, each course has a time limit to complete (usually several months and in NP 510 case -- three months).

A: Yes, NP 510 has open enrollment, and as long as you have completed the course prerequisites (Certificate 1 and 2), you can begin any time.

A: NP 510 is estimated to take 10.5 hours to complete. Completion time also depends on your learning style and previous experience in nutrition and psychology and whether you've taken previous CNP courses. If this information is new to you, or you are a deep learner, it may take more time to complete.

Hedrih, V., Hull, A., Lasecke, M., & Morphew-Lu, E. (2026). NP 510: Psychonutritional assessment in nutritional psychology. In E. Morphew-Lu (Ed.), Certificate #3: Clinical applications in nutritional psychology. Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/

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NP 510 Course Authors and Contributors

Vladimir Hedrih, PhD

Vladimir Hedrih, PhD

Prof. Dr. Vladimir Hedrih is an experienced researcher in organizational psychology and psychometrics, holding the title of full professor of psychology in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Niš. At the University of Niš, he teaches a range of courses in research statistics, psychometrics, and organizational psychology, as well as a course on social trauma, in both bachelor’s and master’s studies, and PhD programs. From 2011 to 2019, he led the Serbian national research project 179002 – “Indicators and models of work-family role synchronization” (the largest scientific research project coordinated by the Department of Psychology since its foundation). He was and remains an active participant in various other research projects throughout his career.

Between 2018 and 2025, he served as editor-in-chief of Psihologija, the most influential scientific journal in psychology in southeastern Europe. Between 2016 and 2022, he served as the vice dean for international cooperation at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Niš. In 2020, he served as the Speaker of the DAAD-financed STICS (Social Trauma in Changing Societies) international scientific network, a role he had held since 2015 as one of the network’s node leaders. He is the author of an international textbook on cross-cultural psychometrics, of an international textbook on research statistics, a contributor to two international textbooks on social trauma, and an author of 40+ full-text papers and monographs. He received two awards for his contributions to the Serbian Psychological Society. Professor Hedrih has been involved in the development of nutritional psychology since 2022, reviewing research, writing, and developing methods and conceptualization in the field.
Amanda Hull, PhD

Amanda Hull, PhD

Dr. Amanda Hull’s career has been dedicated to driving innovation and transformation in healthcare, with a deep focus on integrative health approaches and the whole health paradigm. She has been a leader in the whole health movement, building new models of healthcare at both the local medical center and national policy levels. She is trained as a clinical psychologist and in a range of whole-health approaches, including integrative nutrition and functional medicine. She has led the development of more than 30 Continuing Education courses rooted in these nutritional and integrative approaches. Dr. Hull is a cofounder of The Center for Nutritional Psychology, which began in 2015, and now returns to support the inclusion of nutritional psychology within the whole health paradigm. 

Dr. Meagan Lasecke, PhD

Dr. Meagan Lasecke, PhD

Dr. Meagan Lasecke is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric behavioral health and the integration of nutrition, lifestyle, and mental well-being. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University and completed advanced training in pediatric health psychology and integrated behavioral medicine at Kaiser Permanente and Cleveland Clinic Children’s. Meagan’s work bridges psychology and nutritional science, with experience in pediatric primary care, gastroenterology, disorders of the gut–brain axis, and lifestyle-based behavioral interventions. She has a longstanding personal and professional passion for holistic wellness, functional medicine, and the gut–brain connection, informed by more than a decade of independent study and her own health journey. As a contributor to CNP, Meagan is dedicated to translating research in nutrition and mental health into accessible, evidence-based tools for families and clinicians. She is passionate about helping youth improve their mental, physical, and emotional well-being through nutritional psychology. 

Eileen Santana, RD, CDN

Eileen Santana, RD, CDN

Eileen Santana is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist. Eileen holds a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University and completed the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program at the City University of New York Hunter College. With over a decade of experience in the field, Eileen has supported the nutrition education of countless individuals while leading public health organizations throughout New York City. Fascinated by the emerging science linking diet and mental health, she came across the Center for Nutritional Psychology and completed NP 110. Eileen now lends her nutrition expertise to help develop and review CNP course materials to expand access to nutrition psychology. 

Nabila Pervaiz, MS, Phil

Nabila Pervaiz, MS, Phil

Nabila is a life science researcher with a Master’s degree in Biotechnology. She works as a research intern at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR). She is interested in studying the intricate relationship between microbes and the human body and how they impact individual health and well-being. Her research specialization is in Health Microbiology and primarily revolves around E.coli, identifying and documenting the emergence of virulent E.coli genes responsible for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in women. By presenting her groundbreaking research findings, Nabila aims to educate young girls and women on the importance of personal hygiene, the latest antibiotic resistance trends, and the significant influence of microbes on both physiological and psychological states.

Ephi Lu, MS, Dip.C.N.

Ephi Lu, MS, Dip.C.N.

Ephi Lu developed and taught the first nutritional psychology course for mental health professionals through JFK University in 2008. She co-founded The Center for Nutritional Psychology (CNP) in 2015 to begin systematically identifying, consolidating, and displaying the world’s evidence base in the diet-mental health relationship. She is committed to fostering the development and inclusion of evidence-based psychonutritional education within the psychological and nutrition sciences.

Ryan Butler, MA

Ryan Butler, MA

Ryan is a psychology instructor with experience teaching dozens of developmental and health psychology classes. He holds a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Human Development from Ball State University. As an Education Specialist at CNP, Ryan leads the expansion of CNP’s professional curriculum for higher education and contributes to the development of instructional resources and the direction of CNP’s academic programs. His work equips students with an integrative framework for understanding mental wellness, strengthens the academic foundation of nutritional psychology, and prepares future professionals to incorporate evidence-based, nutrition-informed approaches into mental healthcare. He maintains a particular interest in the gut–brain axis and is continuing his formal studies in nutrition and functional medicine to further support this work.

Table of Contents

  • Syllabus Introduction
    Why use assessments
    Origin of Assessment Measures
    Use of Psychonutritional Assessment within Clinical Practice
  • Overview of Core Psychonutritional Constructs and Assessment Measures
  • Terms & Definitions
  • Scales

1. Self-Regulation and Disordered Eating

  • Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ)
      Clinical Reference Sheet
  • Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ)
      Clinical Reference Sheet

2. Craving, Reward Sensitivity, and Addictive-Like Eating

  • Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS)
      Clinical Reference Sheet
  • Power of Food Scale (PFS)
      Clinical Reference Sheet
  • Reward-Based Eating Drive (RED) Scale
      Clinical Reference Sheet
  • Food Cravings Questionnaires (FCQs)
    Clinical Reference Sheet
  • Food Noise Questionnaire (FNQ)
      Clinical Reference Sheet

3. Dietary Patterns and Food-Mood Connections

  • Food-Mood Questionnaire (FMQ)
      Clinical Reference Sheet
  • Short Screening Questionnaire for Highly Processed Food Consumption (sQ-HPF)
      Clinical Reference Sheet
  • Nutrition Security Screener
      Clinical Reference Sheet
  • Fermented Food Intake Questionnaire
      Clinical Reference Sheet

4. Mindful and Self-Compassion Dimensions of Eating

  • Mindful Eating Behavior Scale (MEQ)
      Clinical Reference Sheet
  • Self-Compassion Scale
      Clinical Reference Sheet
  • Psychonutritional Assessment Practice: Self-Administration
    • Assessment Difficulty Ratings
      • Self-regulation and Disordered Eating
      • Craving, Reward Sensitivity, and Addictive-Like Eating
      • Mindful, Emotional, and Self-Compassion Dimensions of Eating
      • Dietary Patterns and Food-Mood Connections
    • Assessment Administration, Scoring, and Interpretation: Video Tutorial
    • Self-Administration
  • From Insight to Application: Integrating Psychonutritional Assessments in Practice
    • Selecting the Right Psychonutritional Assessment Measures
    • How These Measures Assess Overlapping Constructs
    • Case Studies: Psychonutritional Assessment in Action
      • Case Study 1: Michael
      • Case Study 2: Sarah
    • Putting it all together
    • Scope of Practice Considerations
    • Conclusion
  • References

Continuing Education for Professionals

What does an NP 510 Certificate of Completion provide?

This course provides 10.5 CE for Psychologists, Registered Dietitians (RDs), Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTRs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs), Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEPs), and NCCs (National Certified Counselors). To receive credit for this course, learners must complete the course in its entirety and the course evaluation.

NP provides university-level, science-based Continuing Education (CE) for professionals seeking to develop the skills to incorporate psychonutritional assessment within clinical practice.

By integrating the latest research in nutritional psychology, CNP ensures that its courses are rooted in scientifically validated principles, offering a comprehensive and credible foundation for practice. This commitment to science-based education empowers healthcare providers, mental health professionals, nutritionists, and educators to apply cutting-edge insights to their work, bridging the gap between nutrition and psychological well-being.

CNP maintains responsibility for this program and its content. If finances are a barrier to accessing our curriculum, see our NP 110 Scholarship Program.

CNP’s mission is to pave the way for a nutritional component to mental healthcare by 2030. Join us!

CNP is approved to sponsor Continuing Education for:

  • Licensed Psychologists by the American Psychological Association (APA). CNP maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
  • Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Registered Technicians Registered (RTDs) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) through Activity Type 742 Eligible Enduring.
  • LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT Provider #1000102) through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
  • National Clinical Counselors (NCCs) by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).
  • Is your license not represented? Please email us at info@Nutritional-psychology.org

 

Course Disclaimer

The information in this course is not meant to, nor should it ever be used, to treat, mitigate, or cure psychiatric illness. This information should never be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. This course is educational in nature and is designed to introduce professionals, students, and interested individuals in developing their understanding of the connection between diet and all aspects of psychological functioning and mental health. Best practices for how to integrate this information professionally, ethically, and within the standards of practice will be covered in upcoming courses. While this information can be incorporated into one’s practice within an educational framework, it cannot be used to provide dietary advice, any form of dietary intervention, or to treat any psychological or mental health issues.