Foods to Help Your Brain and Mental Wellbeing: An Interview with me!
Most of the time, I provide educational content that helps people live their best lives. Sometimes, I even interview people and share their experiences. But this time around, I was the one being interviewed!
If you are new to my channel or have just recently discovered my blog, I thought I’d take this opportunity to share this interview with you to help you get to know me a little better.
The following excerpt comes from my recent interview with Krystian Shaw, publisher and owner of the Kamloops Self Advocate Newsletter. If you haven’t heard of it, I suggest you give you a look.
He reached out to ask about foods that can help brain function and improve mental wellbeing. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into the interview - I hope you enjoy it and, as a bonus, maybe you’ll learn something about me!
“It’s never too late to improve or optimize one’s brain health, and the power of food can go a long way in helping people regain mental energy and age gracefully!”
Meet Kelly Aiello, a natural nutritionist and brain health coach.
What is your background in food and nutrition?
This is a long story, but I’ll try to keep it brief! In 2012, my husband was hit by a car while cycling and sustained many injuries, including a traumatic brain injury (TBI). After visiting numerous specialists, trying every medication available, and being subjected to every test his doctors could think of, his progress had stalled, and he was not getting any better. Working with the brain is tough because you can’t see what’s going on inside of it. So I started doing a lot of reading and research to see if I could discover something that would help.
That’s how I discovered the power of food as medicine. By changing both of our diets, Joe started to show some improvement, and I was able to reverse a thyroid issue and eliminate migraines. I was so excited by my discoveries that I wanted to share my knowledge with everyone, so I enrolled in classes to become a Natural Nutritionist (R.H.N.).
Shortly after completing my program, I became an Amen Clinic’s Certified Brain Health Coach. I now work out of a naturopath’s office in Kamloops - Radiant Life Naturopathic Centre, where I help people create an optimal nutritional program to suit their individual needs.
My Podcast is Now Available on iTunes & Spotify
What is the difference between a dietitian or a nutritionist or Brain Health coach?
A dietitian basically follows the guidelines set out by the Canada Food Guide, regardless of a person’s needs. But a natural nutritionist focuses on each person as a whole. We focus on everyone’s bio-individuality and their unique needs to uncover the root cause of their symptoms. Then we work with natural foods, lifestyle upgrades, and supplements that will support their needs to help them reach their goals.
A Brain Health Coach uses these same ideas but focuses on brain health and mental wellness.
For me, combining my love for nutrition and brain health was a natural marriage. My practice revolves around neuronutrition - the use of targeted foods and nutrients to reduce depression and anxiety, slow age-related cognitive decline, and optimize brain function.
What is the difference between a dietitian or a nutritionist or Brain Health coach?
A dietitian basically follows the guidelines set out by the Canada Food Guide, regardless of a person’s needs. But a natural nutritionist focuses on each person as a whole. We focus on everyone’s bio-individuality and their unique needs to uncover the root cause of their symptoms. Then we work with natural foods, lifestyle upgrades, and supplements that will support their needs to help them reach their goals.
A Brain Health Coach uses these same ideas but focuses on brain health and mental wellness.
For me, combining my love for nutrition and brain health was a natural marriage. My practice revolves around neuronutrition - the use of targeted foods and nutrients to reduce depression and anxiety, slow age-related cognitive decline, and optimize brain function.
How can people keep their mental health in top shape or help themselves if they have mental illnesses?
That’s a great question! In general, to support optimal mental health, we need to look at our food as either medicine or poison. Certain foods (especially white sugar and refined, processed foods) increase brain inflammation and reduce blood flow to the brain to make mental health issues worse. Discovering what these food triggers are for you and replacing them with healthier, more nutrient-dense options is the best way to start taking care of your mental health.
If someone has a mental illness, their best bet would be to get help from a neuronutritionist like me to learn what foods they should (and shouldn’t) eat to feed their brain correctly.
What food advice would you give to someone who has an anxiety disorder?
Anxiety can be helped by improving blood flow to the brain and reducing inflammation in it. The best foods to help with this are colourful fruits and veggies like blueberries, cherries, yellow squash, bell peppers, dark leafy greens and healthy fats like wild fish, avocados, olive oil, and walnuts.
Someone with anxiety also needs support in coping with the issues they face. Deep breathing and cognitive-behavioural strategies can help.
What are your favourite hobbies, and how do you keep healthy?
I love walking my two dogs and spending time with them and my husband most of all. I also enjoy cooking and experimenting in the kitchen, creating healthier baked goods. Other than that, I enjoy travelling, writing, and savouring a good cup of coffee!
To stay healthy and keep my mental health in top shape, I eat well, exercise regularly, meditate daily, and avoid foods that do not serve my best health. I also recognize when I’m starting to get overwhelmed and have learned how to take a step back and relax.
How can people find you online?
They can find me online through my website at HappiHuman.com. I’m also on Facebook and Instagram @TheNutritionalNerd, and I recently started a podcast as The Nutritional Nerd, as well.
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