Ep #08 Plant-Based, Mind Healing Food, with Lauren Lovatt

Welcome to the How To Die Happy podcast, where we explore happiness, mental health, and the art of living well. In this episode, we're joined by ⁠Lauren Lovatt⁠, a London-based plant-based chef and founder of Feed Your Mind Candy and the Plant Academy. Lauren's passion for plant-based cooking and eating is driven by her own struggles with mental health, which she has learned to manage through healthy and nourishing food.

Lauren's new cookbook, Mind Food, is all about using plant-based ingredients to promote mental health and wellness. In our conversation, Lauren shares her insights on the transformative power of food and how it can be used to support mental well-being.

We begin our conversation by exploring the science behind how food affects our mental health. Did you know that a healthy diet can reduce the risk of depression by up to 30%? On the other hand, a diet high in processed foods and sugar can increase the risk of developing depression.

Lauren speaks candidly about her own struggles with mental health and how food has played a critical role in her healing journey. She discusses the concept of "mind-healing food", and how her recipes are designed to nourish both the body and mind. We also talk about the impact of unhealthy eating on our well-being and how eating clean can promote a positive mindset.

If you're someone who struggles to enjoy vegetables, Lauren also shares some tips on how to make plant-based foods taste delicious. She also introduces us to the world of plant-based desserts, proving that healthy eating doesn't have to be boring.

We also delve into the topic of suicide and how food can play a role in suicide prevention. Studies have shown that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is associated with a lower risk of suicidal ideation. Lauren explains how her approach to cooking and eating is about prevention and promoting a healthy mindset.

Lauren's work is a testament to the idea that food can be medicine and that eating clean can have a profound impact on our mental health. Her Plant Academy in East London is a hub for like-minded individuals to come together and learn about the transformative power of food. With a focus on sustainability and creativity, Lauren's classes and events inspire participants to explore new ideas and techniques in plant-based cooking.

In this episode of the How To Die Happy podcast, Lauren shares her journey and the transformative power of plant-based eating. Her passion for creating delicious and nutritious meals that nourish the body and mind is contagious, and her insights are sure to inspire listeners to take a more mindful approach to their eating habits.

If you're interested in learning more about Lauren's approach to plant-based cooking and eating for mental well-being, be sure to check out her website. And remember to grab a copy of her new cookbook, ⁠Mind Food⁠, for some delicious, mind-nourishing recipes.

To wrap up, we can confidently say that food does indeed affect our mental health, and Lauren's work is proof of this. Eating clean, plant-based meals can reduce the risk of developing mental health problems and promote a positive mindset. So why not give it a try? Incorporating more plant-based ingredients into your diet could be the key to living a happier and healthier life.