Nutrition and Mental Health

School meals reach 466 million children globally. With the right support, we can reach 100 million more by 2030. Why school meals? Because the data proves they work: → They keep students in school, especially girls → They create predictable demand for local farmers (Brazil saw farmer incomes increase by up to 106%) → Every $1 invested yields up to $35 in economic returns Here's what matters most: 99% of global school meals funding now comes from domestic budgets, not donors. Countries are stepping up with their own resources and leadership. This month, we launched the School Meals Accelerator with Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Novo Nordisk Foundation—committing more than $80 million to support countries strengthening their own school feeding programs. The Accelerator doesn't fund the meals themselves. We provide what countries need: expertise to train staff, systems to ensure food safety, technical support for farmers, resources to make programs financially sustainable. This is a fundamentally different approach to development—one built on partnership, not dependence. One that can withstand political shifts because it's driven by countries themselves. At a time when the world feels like it's pulling back, more than 110 countries are making school meals a major policy priority. That's the kind of leadership we need to rally behind. Read more in the op-ed I co-authored with Minister Reem Alabali Radovan and Professor Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen https://lnkd.in/ehE82-9v

This Kenya founder started with $1,260 from a Kenyan dinner fundraiser in Australia. Today, her organization feeds over 500,000 kids daily and is redefining Africa’s food systems. Meet Wawira Njiru The Visionary Behind Food for Education Wawira grew up in Ruiru, Kenya, where she saw hunger rob children of their dreams. Kids walked into classrooms on empty stomachs—tired, distracted, defeated. Education meant nothing if hunger always won. In 2010, she left for Australia to study Nutrition Science. There, she witnessed something that broke her: Students throwing away trays of food while children back home had none. She made herself a promise: "One day, I’ll fight classroom hunger in Kenya." 2012: She hosted a Kenyan dinner for 80 guests in Adelaide. Charged $20 per plate. Raised $1,260 (Ksh 126,000). That became the seed for Food for Education (F4E). First kitchen: A borrowed room at Ruiru Primary School. First meals: 25 children. Then came the hard part: Funding was scarce. Schools were skeptical. People laughed: “Feeding kids? That won’t scale.” But Wawira didn’t stop. She built a model that worked: ✅ Hot, nutritious meals for $0.30 each ✅ Parents pay $0.15 via mobile money ✅ F4E + partners cover the rest ✅ Tap2Eat tech: Students “tap & eat” with NFC smartwatches in 5 seconds ✅ Hub-and-spoke kitchens delivering meals across schools Today: 1. 500,000+ kids fed daily 2. Thousands of farmers supported 3. Jobs created across the value chain 4. Vision: 3M kids across 3 countries by 2030 But this is bigger than school meals. As Wawira says: "School feeding is more than a meal. It’s about equity. It’s about dignity. It’s about unlocking Africa’s potential and investing in our collective future." F4E is reimagining school feeding through tech, smart logistics, and local partnerships—while strengthening food systems, supporting farmers, and driving climate-conscious innovation. Recognition? Plenty: 🏆 Skoll Award for Social Innovation 2024 🏅 Elevate Prize 2024 🌍 Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst 2024 💡 TIME100 Most Innovative Companies 2024 🌟 CNBC Changemaker 2025 And more. From $1,260 to a movement feeding half a million kids daily, Wawira Njiru is proving: One plate of food can change a life—and a continent. What’s your biggest takeaway from Wawira’s story?  

**New Article Alert**: Our research team implemented and explored a home-delivered produce prescription program to tackle food insecurity among families with young children. Key Highlights: 1. Impact on Food Security and Financial Relief: The PRx intervention helped families by providing fresh produce deliveries, which alleviated financial stress and allowed them to stretch their food budgets. This support enabled families to prioritize fresh produce over staples and reduced concerns about food affordability, especially during economic hardships like COVID-19. The program supplemented existing food assistance (e.g., SNAP, WIC) and improved food literacy, helping participants make informed choices and better manage their resources. 2. Promotion of Healthy Eating Behaviors and Skills Development: The program increased families' fruit and vegetable consumption and encouraged them to experiment with new produce. Virtual cooking classes and nutrition education resources led to positive shifts in food preparation skills and healthier eating habits. Participants reported trying new foods, reducing processed food intake, and incorporating more diverse, healthy options into their diets. The home-delivery model effectively enhanced nutrition security through both improved access to produce and educational support. 3. Enhanced Family Engagement: The program fostered quality family time by encouraging cooking together, leading to shared experiences and healthier eating practices. Participants enjoyed involving their children in meal preparation, which strengthened family bonds and established healthier habits.  4. Development of new framework: Research team developed new innovative framework to assess and implement PRx initiatives based on the qualitative data This research underscores the importance of Produce Prescription (PRx) programs in supporting families and influencing future work in this space. Food is a powerful tool to transform health from the inside out, lets work together to ensure families have access, availability, and interest. Read more about our findings and their implications for nutrition and food security below. Lastly, I must say that I always appreciate teaming up with my colleagues and mentees. Congratulations everyone! Graciela Caraballo Anar Parmar Hemen Muleta, MD Noah Kim Laura Fischer Qadira M. Ali, MD, MPH, FAAP, DipABLM Brent Ling Kurt Hager Senbagam Virudachalam #FoodasMedicine #FoodSecurity #NutritionSecurity #ProducePrescription #PublicHealth #Families

Five gut health markers that predict burnout. These aren't just digestive issues. They're warning signs your body is breaking down. Marker 1: Chronic bloating. Poor nutrient absorption. Even if you're eating well, nutrients aren't getting into your system. Poor absorption leads to deficiency, chronic fatigue, inability to recover from stress, and burnout. Marker 2: Irregular bowel movements. Going 3+ days without or 4+ times per day means toxin buildup. Toxins recirculate instead of leaving. This causes brain fog, poor decision-making, more stress, and burnout. Normal is 1-2 times daily. Marker 3: Food sensitivities that appeared recently. Gut inflammation and leaky gut. Undigested food leaks into your bloodstream. Your immune system attacks it. This creates inflammation, dysregulated stress response, inability to handle normal stressors, and burnout. Marker 4: Sugar cravings, especially mid-afternoon. Blood sugar instability from poor gut bacteria. Unhealthy bacteria drive sugar cravings and prevent stable glucose regulation. Every crash depletes stress resilience. Blood sugar crashes lead to energy crashes, inability to sustain focus, falling behind, and burnout. Marker 5: Poor sleep even when exhausted. Gut barrier damage and inflammation. Your gut produces melatonin and regulates circadian rhythm. Poor sleep damages gut lining. Damaged gut worsens sleep. This creates chronic inflammation, inability to recover, and burnout. When all 5 are present, you wake up exhausted, brain fog makes decisions harder, small stressors feel overwhelming, you need caffeine and sugar to function, and recovery takes longer. This isn't laziness. This is your body telling you the foundation is broken. Fix your gut before you burn out. Not after. ------------------------------------------------- Follow me Dan Murray🧠 for more on habits and leadership. P.S. If you want 2026 to feel different, don’t start with goals. Start with clarity. Most people don’t need more discipline. They need to understand what’s been draining them and what deserves their energy. I’ve spent years refining a simple process to help you with exactly that. Download my short PDF guide https://lnkd.in/eniDNptW I'll see you there.

Lancet paper proposes a new framework to make school meals #planetfriendly Excerpts: "Regular provision of school meals improves school enrollment, attendance, and attainment, and lowers dropout rates, especially for girls, reduces socioeconomic disparities, and in low-income settings and households acts as a social safety net by reducing food insecurity and supporting family budgets." "Planet-friendly school meals, defined as programmes delivering equitable and healthy foods for children, produced in ways that do not pollute or overexploit natural resources and protect biodiversity, are a platform to tackle some of the food system challenges." Combined with holistic food education, planet-friendly and nutritious school meals can foster healthier and more sustainable food practices. "...the framework highlights four components needed to facilitate planet-friendly school meals: healthy and sustainable menus, clean energy for cooking, reduced food waste, and action-oriented and holistic food education."

Imagine a scenario where your biological drives support your healthiest intentions, rather than constantly battling them. This transformation begins not with a new diet, but by recalibrating a fundamental aspect of your daily physiology. I always assess sleep before I discuss nutrition. This approach often surprises patients who arrive ready to overhaul their pantry or count macronutrients. They expect a meal plan. Instead, I ask about their bedtime routine. The reasoning is physiological, not preference-based. Sleep governs the hormones that dictate hunger and satiety. When sleep is fragmented or short, ghrelin spikes and leptin falls. The drive for high-reward, ultra-processed foods increases significantly. Trying to change your diet when your biology is screaming for quick energy is a battle against your own neurochemistry. Furthermore, decision fatigue rises when we are tired. Meal planning, cooking, and resisting impulse purchases require cognitive load that a sleep-deprived brain simply cannot spare. By prioritising sleep first, we gain leverage. If we can improve sleep quality by even 10 to 20 per cent, nutritional changes stop feeling like a test of willpower and start becoming a capability problem we can solve. The trade-off is patience. We delay the immediate gratification of a "perfect diet" to build the capacity required to sustain it. But what we gain is a system that works with us, not against us.

You’re not broken. You’re just running on empty... Here's what you need to do to fix it! Most business owners I speak to don’t need another detox, diet book or 6am bootcamp. They need to fix what’s quietly draining them. Below are 5 red flags I see every week and what’s really behind them: 1. You can’t sleep deeply Waking in the night or waking up feeling exhausted even though you slept 7+ hours. You’re likely low in magnesium. Try: 300–400mg magnesium glycinate before bed Eat: Spinach, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate Why: Magnesium calms the nervous system and helps regulate melatonin (the sleep hormone) Source: Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2012 2. You’re tired… but wired If your brain’s still spinning at 9pm? You’re likely depleted in B vitamins (especially B6, B12, folate). Try: A quality methylated B-complex Eat: Eggs, beef, oats, leafy greens Why: B vitamins convert food into energy and keep your nervous system balanced Source: AJCN, 2000 3. You crash every afternoon Struggling to focus after 2pm? You might be low in omega-3s, especially DHA, which is critical for the brain. Try: 1000mg EPA/DHA daily (fish oil or algae) Eat: Salmon, sardines, walnuts Why: Omega-3s support memory, focus and reduce brain inflammation Source: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2017 4. You’re stressed all the time Anxiety. Restlessness. Wired but exhausted. This screams magnesium, electrolyte imbalance, and high cortisol. Try: Magnesium + ashwagandha + proper hydration Eat: Avocados, bananas, almonds Why: Adaptogens like ashwagandha can cut cortisol by 30% Source: Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 2012 5. You’ve lost your drive Low mood. No motivation. Can’t be bothered. It’s not “just life”, it’s often low vitamin D and testosterone. Try: 3000–5000 IU vitamin D3 with K2 Eat: Eggs, oily fish, fortified foods Why: Vitamin D controls energy, immunity, and your hormone health Source: Hormone and Metabolic Research, 2011 This isn’t burnout. It’s depletion. Your body runs on inputs. When the basics are missing... Energy crashes. Motivation drops. Focus fades. Most of this is fixable with small lifestyle changes. If one of these hit home, which one was it?

Two crises, one possible solution: How Japan’s school lunches provide an example of how to tackle both hunger and obesity Across the world today, we face a food system paradox. Food insecurity is rising, leaving millions of children without enough to eat. At the same time, childhood overweight and obesity are increasing rapidly, even within the same countries and communities. This double burden of malnutrition is one of the great public health challenges of our time. One part of the solution could be something that should be simple: school food. Japan provides a good example of how nutritious, universal school meals can shape healthier lives. The country has some of the lowest childhood obesity rates among developed nations. A key reason is its approach to school lunches. Meals are prepared fresh each day, planned by nutritionists, and served in classrooms where children eat together and take turns serving their peers. Fast food is absent. Instead, the focus is on balance, variety, and moderation. More than just food on a plate, this system is part of a broader philosophy known as 'shokuiku', or food education. Children learn where food comes from, how it nourishes the body, and why communal eating matters. Research shows that Japanese school lunches improve children's nutrient intake and are linked to lower obesity rates. A nationwide study found that greater participation in the school lunch program significantly reduced the likelihood of being overweight or obese among students. So, this shows that it is possible to feed all children well, regardless of background, while teaching healthy habits that could last a lifetime. Background reading: - Case study from the School Meals Coalition https://lnkd.in/dSpycmUn - Study on school lunch and obesity rates https://lnkd.in/d_fiGJsf - School meals and nutrient intake in Japan https://lnkd.in/d6bUU6xB - How this can be implemented in a country such as the UK - and the importance of linking school meals to food education https://lnkd.in/dCjnBZaU Perhaps of interest: Fatma Sabet, Clare Pettinger, Angelina Sanderson Bellamy, Kevin Morrell, School Food Matters, Chefs in Schools, Effie Papargyropoulou, Exeter Food, Cornelia Guell, Caroline Verfuerth, Manda Brookman, Matthew Thomson, Claire Judd, Mary Rose Surfleet, Bob Doherty #ChildNutrition #FoodSecurity #PublicHealth #HealthyEating #GlobalHealth #SustainableDiets

Nutrition & Depression What Every Nutritionist Should Know Depression isn't just (in the mind) It's also in the gut, the hormones, and even the immune system. And as nutrition professionals, we’re in a strong position to support clients beyond calories and macros. Here’s a clear, practical guide to how food affects mood, and what you can apply in your practice 👇🏻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝘁-𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 About 90% of serotonin (the mood-regulating neurotransmitter) is made in the gut - not the brain. When the gut is inflamed or imbalanced, mental health often declines. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨: • Encourage probiotic & prebiotic foods • Reduce gut irritants (processed food, artificial sweeteners) • Support with fiber, fermented foods, and omega-3s 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗡𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 Depressed clients often show low levels of: ✔️ Vitamin D ✔️ B vitamins (especially B12 & folate) ✔️ Magnesium ✔️ Iron ✔️ Zinc 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨: • Assess dietary intake and labs if possible • Include eggs, legumes, leafy greens, seafood, and whole grains • Supplement when clinically needed 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗿 & 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 Fluctuating blood sugar can mimic symptoms of anxiety and fatigue — and worsen emotional lows. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨: • Recommend balanced meals with protein, fat, and fiber • Limit refined carbs and sugary snacks • Encourage consistent eating patterns (no skipping meals) 𝗢𝗺𝗲𝗴𝗮-𝟯𝘀 = 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 Omega-3 fatty acids (especially EPA) have anti-inflammatory effects and support brain health. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨: • Include 2–3 servings of fatty fish/week • Consider EPA-rich supplements in clients with depression • Use food first, then supplement wisely 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 Chronic low-grade inflammation is now recognized as a contributor to depression in many clients. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨: • Promote anti-inflammatory diets (Mediterranean-style works well) • Include colorful fruits, olive oil, turmeric, nuts, and green tea • Educate on sleep, stress, and movement as part of an anti-inflammatory lifestyle So, Your Role as a #Nutritionist: You might not treat depression directly, but your guidance can: → Reduce symptom intensity → Improve energy and motivation → Enhance results of other therapies You are part of the care team. Let’s keep bridging the gap between food and mental health. How do you support clients with mood disorders nutritionally? Let’s exchange ideas and raise awareness 🫱🏻🫲🏼 #abdelmobdy #Nutrition #Healthcare #Education #LinkedIn #health #HealthyLiving #mentalhealth #nutritionist