Mood Food with Dr. Uma Naidoo MD

Mood Food with Dr. Uma Naidoo MD

Nut Butter

Plus - the TOP foods for reducing anxiety!

Nov 08, 2024
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Hey MoodFoodie,

My first YouTube video is now LIVE!

In this video, I share the top foods I recommend to combat symptoms of anxiety. Click here to learn more! 

My new YouTube channel is going deep on the topics of the brain, mood, and food. I will be posting regularly on various topics like: 

  • Mood Food connection

  • Recipes

  • Trending topics related to food, mood, and mental health like Ozempic

Subscribe here and never miss a video!

You can learn more about taking care of your mind with my Brain Health Series on MasterClass!

Learn more here!


Are you looking for ways to naturally boost your mood and emotional wellbeing? Are you interested in making healthy choices now that will benefit your health in the future? 

Nutritional Psychiatry focuses not only on how specific foods help improve our mood and reduce stress, but also how we can use food to impact our cognitive ability and memory as we age. 

Simple adjustments can slowly but steadily become habits you can incorporate for the rest of your life in order to create lasting mental fitness. Each week, I’ll share recommendations here using foods you can add to your diet to support your mental health. 

I love bringing you the latest in Nutritional Psychiatry each week to boost your overall well-being. My new book Calm Your Mind with Food is a revolutionary full-body approach to relieving anxiety, including anti-anxiety recipes and meal plan guidelines. 

If you haven’t gotten your copy already, get yours here: 

US Edition: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Books-A-Million | Target | Walmart

UK Edition


MOOD FOOD of the Week: Nut Butters

brown powder in brown round container
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Mood: Anxiety

Food: Nut Butters

Research has shown that Nut Butters can help calm the mind because…

  • Nuts are a great source of vitamin E and polyphenols which are anti inflammatory in the brain to reduce the effects of oxidative stress that can contribute to symptoms of anxiety

  • They are naturally rich in magnesium, an essential nutrient that helps to regulate the nervous system for an improved sense of calm

  • Nuts are also a great source of prebiotic fiber which helps to feed the good bacteria in the gut for a more balanced microbiome and improved stress response

How to add this MOOD FOOD to your diet:

A little goes a long way when it comes to nuts butters! Just a tablespoon or two is the perfect amount. I love nut butters that contain almonds, walnuts, cashews and peanuts, or even making my own in the food processor with whichever nuts and seeds I have in my pantry! Try adding it to a smoothie or plain yogurt with some berries, smeared on a piece of sourdough toast with a dash of cinnamon, or simply as a snack with apples or something I enjoy like celery sticks! 

This week, as part of my premium subscription, I am sharing a delicious recipe for Peanut Butter Matcha Smoothie. Be sure to sign up today for a new recipe each week!

How to buy nut butters:

Nut butters are widely available in grocery stores and markets. It is important to be intentional when purchasing these products and always read the labels carefully. Look for products where the only ingredient is nuts and maybe salt if that is your preference. Many commercial nut butters contain added sugars, flavors, seed oils and preservatives which can be detrimental to mental fitness. Many grocery stores now even have machines where you can make your own nut butter and take it home fresh!

Wishing you a joyful & calm week,

Dr. Uma Naidoo, MD


My course on MasterClass is now available!

Struggling with forgetfulness, anxiety, or brain fog? I am thrilled to announce that my new course is now available on MasterClass! Learn science-backed tips from the world’s leading brain experts to keep your mind sharp, while exploring the science of "super aging." Episode 1 of Brain Health is streaming now:

Click here to learn more!


In The News

Biohack Yourself: More and more evidence is linking the gut with autism! Learn more here.

HuffPost: Looking to reduce stress? Start by removing these comfort foods from your diet!

Lose It!: These healthy habits are key for dementia prevention!

MindBodyGreen: What’s the key to productivity? It may just be in your beverage choices!


This Week’s Recipe: Nut Butter Matcha Smoothie

This week’s recipe to accompany our Mood Food is available to premium subscribers. Upgrade now to never miss a recipe or other exclusive content in your inbox!

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