Navigation
Interoceptive Awareness (IA)
The ability to identify, access, understand, and respond appropriately to one’s internal physiological signals.
Evidence-informed learning resource
Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology
Explore clear, research-informed definitions of key concepts connecting nutrition, mental health, behavior, and psychological well-being.
- Alphabetical browsing
- Plain-language definitions
- Reviewed by CNP contributors
Find a topic
Browse nutritional psychology terms
Search for a term or use the alphabetical navigation to explore the encyclopedia.
Search by term, condition, nutrient, behavior, or psychological concept.
About the ENP
A trusted guide to nutritional psychology terminology
Nutritional psychology examines how dietary patterns, nutrients, food-related behaviors, and psychological factors interact with mental health and well-being. Launched by the Center for Nutritional Psychology in 2024, the Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology defines the terms, mechanisms, processes, and research areas shaping this growing field.
Created for students, educators, researchers, healthcare professionals, and curious readers, the ENP includes hundreds of clear, research-informed entries. Content is written and regularly updated by contributors across relevant scientific disciplines, with new entries and major revisions reviewed by the CNP Encyclopedia Editorial Board before publication.
The encyclopedia helps readers understand terminology and foundational concepts. For deeper exploration of the studies behind those concepts, visit the Nutritional Psychology Research Library .
Encyclopedia entries
Select a term to read its definition and supporting context.
Intestinal Permeability
Intestinal permeability is a functional feature of the intestinal barrier that allows for the exchange of solutes and fluids between the intestinal lumen and mucosa (Lee, 2015). Various factors, including…
Introjection
Introjection is a psychological process through which an individual adopts the ideas, attitudes, or behaviors of others as their own. This can happen because the person wishes to avoid guilt…
Intuitive eating
Eating in response to internal cues with flexibility and trust i.e., eating driven by hunger and fullness sensations coming from the body.
Continue learning
Explore CNP courses
Go beyond definitions
Explore CNP courses and programs designed to deepen your understanding of the relationship between nutrition and mental health.
Academic oversight
Editorial Board
Meet the editors and subject specialists supporting the Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology.
Executive and Associate Editors
Co-Principal Editors
Ephi Morphew-Lu
The Center for Nutritional Psychology
Shereen Behairy
The Center for Nutritional Psychology
Associate Editors
Nabila Pervaiz
The Center for Nutritional Psychology
Technical Support
Tahir Yasin
The Center for Nutritional Psychology
Subject Editors
Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Child Psychology
Dr. Vishruti Patel, PsyD
Clinical Psychology
Psychology
Dr. Vladimir Hedrih, PhD
University of Niš, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology
Nutritional Immunology
Dr. Emilia Vassiloupoulou, PhD, BSc
Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece and Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
Nutrition and Dietetics
Eileen Santana RD, CDN
The Center for Nutritional Psychology
