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Nutritional psychology is an interdisciplinary field rooted in the psychological sciences that examines how dietary patterns, food behaviors, psychological processes, and social influences interact to shape cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial functioning—including how individuals perceive and experience signals from their own bodies (interoception). It provides a shared language and an evidence-based educational framework that unite psychological and nutritional sciences, fostering integrative learning and research at their intersection.
Nutritional psychiatry is rooted in medical practice, using nutrition as a clinical tool to prevent and treat psychiatric disorders. It has been instrumental in researching increasing understanding of how overall dietary patterns and specific dietary interventions—such as the Mediterranean diet—can help prevent, manage, or support treatment for mental health disorders within psychiatric care frameworks. The field emphasizes evidence-based dietary modifications that may improve mental health, particularly for conditions like depression and anxiety. Still, it acknowledges that more high-quality, mechanistic research is needed before widespread clinical recommendations can be made. Interventions are typically implemented by psychiatrists, medical providers, and interdisciplinary teams as part of a holistic approach, with nutrition considered a modifiable factor alongside established treatments.
Both fields share a focus on the relationship between diet and mental health and offer mutually beneficial and complementary perspectives.
Nutritional psychology is considered an interdisciplinary field that sits at the intersection of psychology and nutrition—it is not exclusively part of either discipline. Its foundations and conceptual frameworks are rooted primarily in the psychological sciences but also incorporate evidence and methods from nutritional science, neuroscience, physiology, and related areas. In practice, nutritional psychology integrates psychological theories and research with nutritional science to examine how diet and psychological processes influence mental health and behavior. See the Core Domains within the NP Framework section on the What is Nutritional Psychology page.
Yes, nutritional psychology is evidence-based and grounded in a growing body of scientific literature examining the relationship between diet and psychological health. The field integrates findings from psychology, nutrition, neuroscience, and related areas, using validated research to explore how food choices influence cognitive function, emotional well-being, behavior, and mental health outcomes. Comprehensive conceptual frameworks—such as the one developed by the Center for Nutritional Psychology—unify this research into systematic educational and theoretical models, supporting evidence-based practice and ongoing scientific advancement in the field. To see the evidence, visit the Nutritional Psychology Research Library (NPRL).
Nutritional psychology is advancing beyond pure research and education—it is establishing a robust conceptual framework, specialized language, and a substantial evidence base that now support the integration of psychonutritional tools into clinical practice by mental health, nutrition, and allied health professionals. These psychonutritional tools are currently in development in the Professional Applications in Nutritional Psychology (NP-A) Certificate #3, which will enable clinicians to assess and apply evidence-based psychonutritional principles within their scope of practice, helping clients understand the relationship between dietary patterns and psychological well-being, and fostering collaboration across disciplines. Interprofessional training programs, certificates, and micro-degrees have been developed to equip practitioners with the skills to deliver psychonutritional assessments and interventions, supporting the application of nutritional psychology concepts in real-world clinical and community settings. However, the use of these approaches remains within each profession’s established scope and licensure, with clear boundaries between assessment, education, and direct diagnosis or treatment. As the field grows, more structured collaboration and training are emerging to support integrated nutritional and psychological care.
Nutritional psychology cannot cure mental illness on its own. While there is strong and growing evidence that nutrition influences mental health—and that psychonutritional approaches can improve symptoms, support emotional well-being, and complement existing treatments—nutritional psychology is not designed to replace or provide a cure for diagnosed mental disorders. Instead, it equips individuals and professionals with powerful tools, language, and frameworks to help individuals understand their nutrition-mental health relationship, often as part of a broader, multidisciplinary approach to mental health care.
The formal title of “nutritional psychologist” does not currently exist because there is no established licensing or certifying organization providing credentialing for this role. To formally recognize a professional title in healthcare or psychology, a field typically requires accredited university-level education programs, a recognized licensure board, defined scope-of-practice guidelines, and robust standards for education, training, and ongoing competency. Nutritional psychology is still an emerging interdisciplinary specialty, and while it has developed its own conceptual frameworks and evidence base, the creation of a formal title of "Nutritional Psychologist" will depend on continued growth in clinical application, academic curriculum, and regulatory infrastructure. Professionals who have taken courses in nutritional psychology through CNP can indicate this by including the designation "Nutritional Psychology" on their resume. Professionals who have earned a micro-degree in nutritional psychology can describe themselves as having advanced, evidence-based training that enables them to integrate nutrition and mental health principles within their existing professional roles. This credential signifies their formal education in the interdisciplinary science behind how dietary factors influence psychological well-being, equipping them to perform psychonutritional assessments, interventions, and client education—always within the boundaries of their original scope of practice. To learn more, read the How Much Does a Nutritional Psychologist Make and How Do I Become One article.
Yes! There are many ways to get involved at CNP and grow your professional knowledge and expertise. You can start by enrolling in Courses, Certificates, or the Micro-Degree, or by advocating for the inclusion of nutrition in mental healthcare. Your input helps support nutritional psychology in education, healthcare, and policy. If you have expertise in a related science, consider becoming a CNP Contributor or a CNP Library Member. You can also learn by following CNP and engaging with our content across our online platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Youtube.
You can start by getting all your educational needs through The Center for Nutritional Psychology. CNP is approved to sponsor continuing education (CE) for professionals by several major organizations. CNP provides continuing education that meets the standards set by recognized bodies such as the American Psychological Association (APA), Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). These accreditations ensure that CNP’s courses fulfill rigorous professional requirements for psychologists, dietitians, counselors, and other licensed mental health and nutrition professionals.
Over the past 15 years, the Center for Nutritional Psychology (CNP) has played a pivotal role in establishing nutritional psychology as a field. CNP’s interdisciplinary team has developed and refined a comprehensive curriculum for mental health, nutrition, and allied health professionals. Starting with university-level continuing education courses, CNP has expanded to advanced certificate programs, culminating in a micro-degree. This educational pathway signifies advanced training and expertise in evidence-based psychonutritional concepts, helping to formalize the field, strengthen professional standards, and expand access to quality education at the intersection of nutrition and psychology. To see your path in NP, visit the Programs page or download the My Path Document. If these resources don't answer your questions or if you have specific questions, please email editor@nutritional-psychology.org.
Depending on the total number of instructional CE hours, learners receive either 3 or 4 months to complete each course. All courses are self-paced and may be finished sooner than the allotted time. When taking courses consecutively, Certificate 1 can be completed within 9 months, and Certificate 2 can be completed within 16 months. Certificate 3 is in development, so an estimated completion time for Certificate 3 and the Micro-Degree is not yet available.
