Lesley McCuaig explores how the evolution of her food choices – from ready meals to roasted veg – has influenced her mental health over time. With reflections on schizophrenia, alcohol recovery, and the joys of solo cooking, she highlights how nutrition can support well-being, backed by emerging research in nutritional psychiatry.

I've often thought about how nutrition affects my mental health. I'm not one to spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking for just myself. When I was struggling with alcohol, my diet was terrible. To be honest, my eating habits didn't get much better after my schizophrenia diagnosis.

Looking back, I see how my unhealthy eating habits impacted my well-being. Nowadays, I’m committed to eating the right foods to improve my physical and mental health. I've certainly noticed that a balanced diet increases my energy levels throughout the day.

I recently discovered the air fryer – a game-changer, and it has completely transformed my cooking experience. Preparing dishes like pork chops, chicken, steak, and fish has never been easier. It typically takes around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the type of meat or fish, and just like that, dinner is served.

The air fryer is also fantastic for roasting vegetables – take cauliflower, for example, tossed in olive oil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. And let’s not forget about Brussels sprouts dressed with lemon juice, garlic, salt, and olive oil. It's made healthy cooking fast and, surprisingly, fun!

Solo cooking? Don’t fall into the “no one’s looking” trap

When we're cooking for one, as I often do, it can be easy to skimp on the health foods. After all, no one else is relying on us for a balanced meal, and we may be exhausted that day. And let’s be honest... no one’s watching if we reach for another ready meal.

But if you'd make the effort to cook for a family member or friend, why not show yourself the same kindness? There are tons of tasty, quick-to-make options available when preparing healthy foods. You don't have to spend hours on a dish!

What the research says about diet and mental health

A recent study on nutrition and mental health looked at how lifestyle choices and nutrition affect mental health. The study highlighted that, for many years, there had been a lack of research on this topic. However, thankfully, that’s starting to change.

Now, more people are paying attention to the connection between diet and mental well-being. There’s growing interest in fields such as nutritional psychology (psychodietetics) and neuropsychiatry. Diet may even interact with medications and therapy in ways that influence improved mental health.

Another study looking at possible links between nutrition and mental health points out that nutritional psychiatry is now a fast-growing field. Some research supports that a Mediterranean-style diet may offer some protection against poor mental health. Overall, this emerging field of study suggests that our food choices may play a bigger role in mental well-being than we once thought.

Finding balance through food

So, more and more people are realizing how our food choices affect our mental health and overall well-being. But, it’s important to know that making a healthy meal doesn’t have to be difficult. When I cook for myself, I find that there are simple ways to make what can feel like a big task much easier.

During my toughest times with mental illness, I had a hard time balancing sleep, food, and exercise. Today, I focus on nutrition to help manage some challenges that come with schizophrenia.

When I make the effort to eat nutritious meals, I feel so much more energetic and balanced. Over time, this has really helped boost my confidence and self-esteem!

So, are you making healthy food choices? And how do you feel with a nutritious meal inside you? Think of your tastiest, healthiest meal and whip up a culinary storm in your kitchen tonight!

The information presented is solely for educational purposes, not as specific advice for the evaluation, management, or treatment of any condition.

The individual(s) who have written and created the content and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence, or endorse any content related to the contributor's websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen.

NPS-ALL-NP-01636 SEPTEMBER 2025