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Supporting Dietitians Week 2024 #DietitiansWeek2024 #MindBodyBrain

The evidence is now clear that diet has a profound influence on mental health. In support of Dietitian’s Week, we have compiled a range of our presentations that describe the scientific evidence, how to translate the evidence into practical food solutions and the therapy skills needed to work with people with mental health concerns.

Ultra-processed foods an update, Dr Priscila Machado

• What ultra-processed foods are and how to identify them 
• Evidence and mechanisms of the impact of ultra-processed foods on health 
• The impact of ultra-processed foods on the environment
• Global, regional and national ultra-processed food consumption trends 
• Ultra-processed food concept applied to dietary advice and policy actions

Trauma-informed care in nutrition, Jacinta Sherlock, APD

• What is trauma-informed care?
• Why adopting a trauma-informed care approach is important in dietetic practice
• How trauma presents in clinic
• Practical considerations to offering safety in clinical nutrition spaces

Nutrition for depression and anxiety, Sophie Mahoney, APD

• Research update on nutrition and mental health
• Why nutrition is important in mental health treatment
• Mechanisms behind diet and mental health
  • Biological mechanisms
  • Non-biological mechanisms
• Nutrition considerations and tips for practice

FREE Gender inclusive healthcare practices, Max Jones APD

• Current health statistics and demographics
• What gender inclusive healthcare practice looks like
• How to provide gender affirming care
• Expanding nutrition data ranges
• Clinical scenarios which help illustrate best practice

Working with Trans and Gender Diverse People, Dr Nate Reid (MBBS, FRACGP)

• Explaining terminology
• Social, medical and surgical transition
• Feminising and masculinising hormones and health considerations
• Health issues
• Key tips

Nutrition and recovery from drug addiction, Lulu Cook, APD, RDN (USA), Certified Professional Coach

• Physical and psychological aspects of addiction
• How nutrition can be utilised to assist with
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Drug withdrawal
• Facilitating good nutrition for clients managing drug and alcohol recovery

FREE Ultra-processed foods, Dr Priscila Machado

• NOVA classification system and definition of ultra-processed foods
• Impact of ultra-processed foods on diet quality and health: evidence and mechanisms
• How to apply the NOVA system for dietary advice at the clinical and population level

Protecting the physical health of people with mental illness, Dr Scott Teasdale, APD

• Physical health burden and key risk factors
• Prescribing practices
• Multidisciplinary interventions in mental healthcare focusing on nutrition components
• Next generation solutions

Mental Health: Where Nutrition meets Psychiatry, Nicola Walters, RD (SA)

• An overview of global mental health statistics
• Analysis of the evidence
• Diet as a whole
  • Sugar and refined carbohydrates
  • Fat: dietary quality & quantity
  • Maternal health
  • Gene SNPs
  • Key nutrients
• Understanding the complex biological pathways
  • Gut brain connection
  • Inflammatory pathways
  • Oxidative stress
• Psychiatric medications and nutrition related side effects
• Putting this into practice

Severe mental illness: case study, Scott Teasdale, APD, PhD candidate

In Scott’s case study he describes the nutritional management of his client who recently had their first psychotic episode. Scott explains the situation, the medication commenced and his interventions to prevent an increase in metabolic risk factors.

The unique nutrition challenges of severe mental illness, Scott Teasdale, APD, PhD candidate

• What is severe mental illness?
• Characteristics of people living with severe mental illness, and impacts of medication side-effects
• Nutritional intake, key nutrient concerns and nutrient-medication interactions
• Effective nutritional interventions