Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety With Psychiatrist Drew Ramsey

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Meet Dr. Drew Ramsey

Drew Ramsey is a psychiatrist and a leader in nutritional psychiatry. He’s also an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. 

He founded the Brain Food Clinic in New York City, a practice that offers treatment and consultation for depression, anxiety, and emotional wellness. The clinic incorporates nutrition and integrative psychiatry treatments coaching, medication management, and psychotherapy.

He’s the author of four books on food and mental health including Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients that Fuel Brain Power, Boost Weight Loss and Transform Your Health, 50 Shades of Kale, The Happiness Diet, and Eat to Beat Depression and Anxiety.

Why Dr. Drew Ramsey Is Mentally Strong

Many psychiatrists stick to prescribing medication. But, Dr. Ramsey recognizes the value of helping people make nutritional changes.

He invests a lot of time and energy into studying diet and teaching people about how changing their diet can impact their mental health.

He also ensures that the diet changes he recommends are do-able for everyone. The ingredients he suggests are affordable and readily available. 

What You’ll Hear on the Show

• The problem with telling people to “eat healthy”
• How your childhood experiences eating dinner likely impact you as an adult
• Why Dr. Ramsey thinks I need to find more joy in food 
• Why Dr. Ramsey says eating seafood is so important
• The most important nutrients your brain needs to combat depression and anxiety
• Why vitamins don’t make up for a lack of nutrients in your diet
• How dark chocolate can reduce your risk of depression
• The four foods you should start eating right now for better mental health
• Why changing your diet might work better than an antidepressant

What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength

Sometimes people mistakenly assume mental strength means treating your body like a machine. But pushing yourself to your physical limits and depriving yourself of basic needs won’t allow you to be your best.

Becoming the strongest and best version of yourself often involves creating environmental changes and setting yourself up for success.

Eating a nutritious diet can be a huge factor in building and maintaining mental strength. 

Not only might your diet help you ward off mental health issues, but it can help your brain function at its best, which is key to being mentally strong.

It’s important to take care of your brain and your body if you want to be strong and healthy.

Quotes From Dr. Ramsey

• "There are ways that we've really messed ourselves up with food, like the idea that food becomes punishment."
• "We are really prone to being misled about nutrition and then guided down a path that generally leads people to eat a lot of processed foods."
• "The little rhyme I tell people is, ‘seafood, greens, nuts, and beans.’"
• "I want you to think about your brain as being more precious than your iPhone or your car. You wouldn't just throw some additive in a fancy car."

More About the Podcast

The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too.