What we eat affects more than just our physical health — it has a powerful impact on how we think, feel, and behave. A growing body of research shows that nutrition plays a key role in supporting good mental health and emotional wellbeing.
This Food and Mental Health online course explores the vital connection between diet, mood, and brain function. You’ll discover how the food we eat influences energy levels, concentration, and resilience, and how small changes in diet can make a meaningful difference to wellbeing.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
Mental health is shaped by many factors, and diet is one we can all improve. From the nutrients that support brain health to the role of the gut microbiome, this course gives you practical, evidence-based knowledge you can use to promote mental wellbeing — both for yourself and those you support.
This course will help you:
- Understand the link between food and mental wellbeing: Learn how nutrition supports the brain and affects mood, stress, and cognition.
- Apply food-based strategies: Discover dietary patterns that help prevent or manage anxiety, depression, and low mood.
- Support others holistically: Combine nutrition awareness with your existing care or wellbeing skills to provide person-centred support.
- Encourage healthy choices: Gain confidence in talking about food, lifestyle, and mental health in a sensitive, supportive way.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the connection between diet and mental wellbeing.
- Describe how nutrition impacts brain function, mood, and energy.
- Understand the gut-brain axis and how gut health affects emotions.
- Identify nutrients and foods that promote positive mental health, such as omega-3 fatty acids and complex carbohydrates.
- Recognise how a poor diet contributes to mental health challenges, including stress and low mood.
- Outline dietary strategies such as the Mediterranean diet for improving wellbeing.
- Describe the role of stress, emotional eating, and lifestyle habits in mental health.
- Understand nutritional support for specific conditions such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
- Explore current food trends and social factors influencing mental health.
- Develop practical steps to help individuals build and maintain healthy eating habits.
Food and Mental Health Course Outline
Module 1: Understanding the Relationship Between Food and Mental Health
Learners will explore the scientific connection between diet and mental well-being. This module explains how nutrition influences brain function, neurotransmitter activity, and overall mood regulation. It also introduces the gut-brain axis and its crucial role in emotional and cognitive health. Learners will gain a foundational understanding of how eating habits can support or disrupt mental wellness.
Module 2: Exploring the Impact of Diet on Mental Health
This module focuses on how specific nutrients affect psychological health. Learners will study the importance of Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for brain function. It also discusses how poor diet quality contributes to anxiety, depression, and fatigue, while identifying foods and meal patterns that promote positive mood and resilience.
Module 3: Understanding the Role of the Gut Microbiome
Learners will examine the gut microbiome and its relationship to mental health. The module explains how gut bacteria influence serotonin production and stress response. Learners will explore examples of foods such as probiotics and prebiotics that help maintain a balanced gut environment, which in turn supports mental well-being.
Module 4: Learning About Dietary Strategies for Mental Health
This module introduces evidence-based dietary approaches to support mental health, including balanced diet principles and the Mediterranean-style diet. Learners will gain practical tips for incorporating whole foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats into daily meals. The module also covers simple strategies for sustainable behaviour change and meal planning.
Module 5: Recognising the Link Between Stress, Food, and Mental Health
Learners will discover how stress affects appetite, digestion, and food choices. The module explores the connection between emotional eating, stress hormones, and mood fluctuations. Learners will also identify stress-reducing foods and mindfulness-based techniques, such as mindful eating, that promote emotional regulation and improved mental health.
Module 6: Understanding the Role of Nutrition in Specific Mental Health Conditions
This module examines how nutrition can influence common mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Learners will understand how balanced nutrition supports emotional stability and recovery, as well as the importance of multidisciplinary support involving dietitians and mental health professionals.
Module 7: Exploring Trends in Food Consumption and Mental Health
Learners will explore current trends in UK dietary habits, including the effects of processed foods, sugar intake, and social eating culture. The module analyses how marketing, economic factors, and lifestyle changes affect food choices and mental well-being. Learners will develop awareness of the broader social context of nutrition and its impact on public mental health.
Module 8: Developing Practical Skills for Dietary Change
This final module guides learners through creating a practical mental health-focused diet plan. Learners will explore realistic ways to implement gradual dietary improvements, maintain motivation, and make healthier choices long term. The module reinforces the link between consistent eating habits, emotional resilience, and overall well-being.
Target Audience
This course is designed for:
- Health and social care workers
- Wellbeing and support practitioners
- Nutrition and mental health advocates
- Carers, volunteers, and community health workers
- Anyone interested in improving mental wellbeing through diet
No prior knowledge of nutrition or psychology is needed — this course is suitable for learners at all levels.
FAQ
Is the course relevant to UK health and social care?
Yes. It aligns with current UK frameworks, promoting holistic care and mental wellbeing in line with NHS and Public Health England initiatives.
Do I need previous training in nutrition?
No. The course is suitable for beginners and experienced staff alike.
How long does the course take?
It typically takes 1–2 hours to complete, depending on your pace.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. You’ll receive a Food and Mental Health certificate after completing the course.
Is the course CPD-accredited?
Our courses are in the process of gaining CPD accreditation. Certificates will be updated once this is approved.
Good nutrition supports both body and mind. Understanding how diet influences mental wellbeing helps you deliver more compassionate, informed, and person-centred care. It also empowers individuals to make small, positive changes that can have lasting effects on their mood and quality of life.
Enrol on the Food and Mental Health Training Course today
Gain the knowledge and confidence to support better mental wellbeing through diet — for yourself, your team, and those you care for.
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Food and Mental Health Training Course CPD Accredited and Government Funding
We’re working on getting this Food and Mental Health Training Course CPD accredited, and any course that’s approved will be clearly labelled as CPD accredited on the site. Not every health and social care course has to be accredited to help you meet CQC expectations – what matters is that staff are competent, confident and properly trained for their roles under Regulation 18. Our courses are built to support those requirements, and because they’re not government funded there are no eligibility checks or ID needed – you can enrol and start learning straight away.
