In Episode 20 of the Greenfork Food for Thought podcast, host Stephen Zabala welcomes guests Vicki Braunstein and Kiera Kenyon to discuss the powerful connection between food, mental health, and healing. Together, they share how their “Food and Mood” program uses nutrition education to support emotional well-being. The conversation explores comfort food psychology, trauma and nourishment, barriers to understanding nutrition, more!

To learn more about the Food and Mood program, visit Saratoga Center for the Family or check any of the guests' social media!

0:00 Intro and welcome Vicki Braunstein & Kiera Kenyon

0:25 “Food is Mood” program overview

1:10 Vicki’s background as a therapist

6:20 Reconnecting family through cooking

10:15 Food as medicine and discipline in healing

12:10 Nutrition and mental health connections

14:20 Personal evidence vs. scientific evidence

17:00 Balancing therapy and nutrition for mental wellness

19:40 Understanding comfort food and emotional eating

26:30 Trauma, dissociation, and grounding through eating

29:00 Awareness and emotional triggers in cravings

32:00 Navigating nutrition misinformation

34:30 Listening to your body and the elimination diet

40:00 The value of community and ongoing education

42:00 Food is Mood group structure and goals

48:00 Food access, CSA boxes, and advocacy work

50:00 Nutrition in schools and systemic change

55:00 Reconnecting with nature and growing food

58:00 Youth empowerment through food programs

1:01:20 Building bridges between farms and families