Nutritional Psychology (NP) is an emerging interdisciplinary field exploring the intricate, bidirectional relationships between nutrition and psychology. Situated at the intersection between the nutritional and psychological sciences, NP examines how what we eat influences how we think, feel, and experience life through the complex biological, psychological, social, and environmental pathways enabled by our dietary intake patterns.

The Conceptual Framework of Nutritional Psychology — the first evidence-based theoretical model defining and structuring this discipline—was developed by the CNP research team and published in Behavioral Sciences (Stroebele-Benschop et al., 2025). This framework establishes NP’s theoretical foundations, structure, and six-domain categorization that together guides ongoing research, education, and application in this domain (read the full article).

As this emerging field gains recognition, professionals across disciplines are beginning to identify gaps in their own education. Psychologists and mental health professionals increasingly recognize the bidirectional relationship between diet and mental health; yet, most report limited formal training in nutrition and a strong desire for further education in this area. Similarly, nutritionists and dietitians often lack formal grounding in the psychosocial and cognitive dimensions of mental-health practice, limiting their ability to fully engage in the emerging NP domain (Kiskinis, Lu, & Gurrieri, 2025).

Systematic Method for Conceptualizing and Advancing the Field

Efforts to formalize the evidence-based theoretical framework connecting nutrition and psychology have evolved over the past two decades (Benschop et al., 2025; Gómez-Pinilla, 2008). Since 2015, CNP has systematically identified, reviewed, categorized, and synthesized thousands of studies bridging these disciplines, culminating in the development of the Conceptual Framework for Nutritional Psychology—a model that unifies this growing body of research into a coherent structure.

What kinds of questions are explored in Nutritional Psychology?
What drives us to eat certain foods?
Do certain types of foods change brain function?
Does your personality influence what you eat?
Do social environments affect dietary intake patterns?
Does the color of food influence food choice?
Can dietary patterns impact emotions?
How does nutrition influence memory?
Can what we eat improve school grades?
Is there a connection between diet and performance?
Do certain foods make us crave? 
Why do our dietary intake patterns influence moods? 
Can our diet influence our resilience to stress?
Can vegetables increase creativity?
Is there a relationship between sleep and nutrition?
How does food influence behavior?
Can skipping breakfast change children's behavior?
Can foods affect our cognitive processes?
Can diet be used to support mental health?
Do sights, smells, and sounds influence food choice?
Can the foods we eat make us feel sensations?
Can what we eat influence our psychological processes?
Can diet influence our behavior?

Core Domains within the NP Framework

Through this work, CNP has developed the first evidence-based theoretical foundation conceptualizing the field of Nutritional Psychology. This framework organizes research across multiple scientific disciplines into six interconnected core domains that together inform ongoing research, education, and the integration of nutrition into mental healthcare (Stroebele-Benschop et al., 2025).

CNP’s framework provides a clear, structured, and unified vision of the nutrition–mental health relationship —guiding research, education, and the practical application of NP.

Conceptual Framework Helps Develop the Field by…

  • Inspiring a shared interdisciplinary language that fosters collaboration across domains
  • Guiding the creation of evidence-based continuing education
  • Informing the development of research initiatives
  • Translating scientific findings into practical clinical applications for professionals within scope
  • Encouraging interdisciplinary efforts within a unified framework
  • Expanding professional training for professionals

In essence, the conceptual framework within nutritional psychology provides the systematic development of a field of study that provides professionals with theoretical foundations, biological mechanisms and clinical applications for practice within their scope of practice.

Learn More & Explore Resources

The Conceptual Framework anchors all of CNP’s educational and research initiatives, including:

  • Education Programs— professional training and certification in Nutritional Psychology.
  • Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology — key terms and definitions grounded in the six domains.
  • Research Summaries— domain-specific, peer-reviewed studies.
  • Nutritional Psychology Research Library (NPRL) — curated studies supporting the Conceptual Framework.