mental health
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Success StoriesSee articleAt 28 Years Old, I Was on Nearly 10 Medications. Then I Changed My Diet
My relationship with food was established long before I understood health. I grew up eating fried foods, refined carbohydrates, dairy, sugary treats, and frequent takeout and fast food. In my early 20s, that pattern only deepened: Eating out was normal, convenience came first, and vegetables were more of an afterthought than a meaningful part of […] -
WellnessSee articleMassive New Study Presents Strongest Evidence Yet Linking Processed Foods to Range of Health Problems
In Brief Most of us know that potato chips, store-bought pastries, and sodas aren’t the foundation of a healthy diet. But how bad for us are these foods, really? A new review of research involving nearly 10 million participants offers some of the most compelling evidence yet that highly processed foods undermine our mental and […] -
WellnessSee articleLiving in Survival Mode? Try These Techniques to Relax and Feel More Grounded
Editor’s Note: Matthew Lederman, MD, and Alona Pulde, MD—longtime Forks Over Knives contributors and the authors of The Forks Over Knives Plan—released a new book this week. Wellness to Wonderful: 9 Pillars for Living Healthier, Longer, and with Greater Joy offers practical, science-backed strategies for reducing stress, increasing connection, and improving the whole picture of […] -
WellnessSee articleFrequent Fruit Intake Linked to Better Mental Health
Feeling down in the dumps? Your snacking habits may be to blame. A recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that eating fruit on a regular basis decreased levels of depression and anxiety regardless of the portion size or type of fruit. On the flip side, frequently consuming savory, processed snack foods […] -
Success StoriesSee articleAfter Decades of Dieting and Depression, I’m Healthy and Happy on a Plant-Based Diet
I started dieting at the age of 9. Every time I lost weight I swore to myself that I’d never regain it—but every time, the old habits returned, along with the weight. By 2013, at age 55, I was at the end of my rope. I was in the grips of a lifelong depression that […] -
Success StoriesSee articleSince Going Plant-Based, I’ve Reduced My Medication Needs and Transformed my Whole Family’s Meal Routine
In a very short span of time, I lost my job of 15 years, I moved from a big modern home to a tiny apartment in a new town, and COVID-19 showed up in the world. I handled these changes poorly. I ate and ate. I drank more alcohol than I could pretend was “no […] -
WellnessSee articleHealthy Sleep Habits: What You Need to Know
When 1 in 3 Americans aren’t getting sufficient sleep on a regular basis, the obvious question is: Why aren’t we sleeping better? Healthy sleep habits are critical for our mental and physical health, but many of our daily routines don’t support them. With an endless array of responsibilities, distractions, and to-do lists, our waking hours […] -
Success StoriesSee articleConquering Addiction to Processed Foods on a Plant-Based Diet
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2021. Scroll to the end for an inspiring 2025 update from Evon, including how she stays on track. I struggled with being overweight for most of my adult life. At my heaviest, I was 250 pounds. I managed to shed around 50 pounds after going pescetarian in […] -
WebinarSee articleWebinar Replay: The Role of Nutrition in Mental Health and Addiction Recovery with Adam Sud
Learn how the simplest change to what’s on your fork can profoundly impact your mental health. In 2012, Adam Sud’s life was completely out of control. He was seriously overweight and struggling with multiple addictions and mental health disorders, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases. His life nearly came to an end when he […] -
WellnessSee articleGoing Plant-Based for Your Mental Health? Here Are Some Things to Keep in Mind
Major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for 15- to 44-year-olds and is the largest contributor to disability worldwide. Personally, I’ve struggled seeing my loved ones with severe depression and tragically lost one young family member to suicide. As a physician, I also see the effects of depression in my […] -
HealthSee articleDiet and Depression: Exploring the Connection
The Gut Is Connected to the Brain Mounting research suggests that clinical depression may be affected by the bacteria in the gut. In a 2019 study published in Nature Microbiology, researchers observed that gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, that are connected to the brain via the vagus nerve, immune system, and […] -
Success StoriesSee articleHow Going Plant-Based Helped Me Overcome Depression
I have seen and heard of a whole-food, plant-based diet saving lives in many ways: reversing heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, and causing other dramatic health transformations. The way it saved my life was more discreet. Eating this way was the kickstart I needed to face the depression I have experienced since childhood. Unhealthy Coping […]
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