Why did I say that? What if this happens? Did I make the right decision?

Overthinking can make us feel like we’re solving a problem, preparing for what might happen, or gaining control. But often, the more we think, the more anxious and stuck we become.

In this episode, Lauren breaks down the different ways overthinking can show up — from replaying past conversations and mistakes to worrying about worst-case scenarios, perfectionism, and analysis paralysis.

She also shares practical strategies for getting out of the loop, including how to recognize when reflection has turned into rumination, challenge worst-case thinking, schedule dedicated “worry time,” sit with uncertainty, and identify when there’s actually something you can do right now.

Because sometimes the answer isn’t to think about it one more time. It’s to recognize the loop, decide what’s within your control, and take the next step.

If you’ve ever wished you could just turn your brain off for a little while, this one’s for you.

Can changing what you eat actually change how you feel?

Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef, and bestselling author Dr. Uma Naidoo joins Dr. Eleni Boosalis for a practical conversation about how the foods we eat can influence anxiety, mood, and overall mental well-being.

This time, the focus is on what you can actually do.

Dr. Naidoo explores protein and changing nutritional needs as we age, electrolytes and supplements, creatine and collagen, coffee and caffeine, sugar and inflammation, and some of the supposedly “healthy” foods that may contain far more added sugar than we realize.

They also talk about foods that may help support anxiety and mental health, including fiber-rich vegetables, omega-3s, fermented foods, spices, and other simple additions to your everyday diet.

Most importantly, eating for better mental health doesn’t have to mean completely overhauling your life. Dr. Naidoo shares realistic ways to start small, make better choices when time is limited, and gradually build healthier habits.

In this episode:

• What women should know about protein and nutrition as they age

• Electrolytes, creatine, collagen, and supplements

• Food, menopause, muscle mass, and healthy aging

• Coffee, caffeine, and mental health

• How added sugar may affect inflammation and anxiety

• “Healthy” foods that can contain surprising amounts of sugar

• Foods that may help support anxiety and mood

• Simple ways to eat better when you’re busy

• Why small, sustainable changes matter more than perfection

Learn more about Dr. Uma Naidoo, her books, recipes, and work in nutritional psychiatry:

umanaidoomd.com

Ready to build a healthier relationship with food?

Dr. Eleni Boosalis’ Hypnosis for Weight Management eCourse is designed to help address the thoughts, habits, and patterns that can influence your relationship with food.

delraypsych.com/hypnosisforweightmanagement

This conversation is part of our special series with Dr. Naidoo exploring the connection between food, the gut, the brain, and mental health. Each episode stands on its own, so you can start right here.

Follow Shrinks on Tap for more conversations about mental health, relationships, wellness, and the psychology behind everyday life.

What if anxiety, mood, and mental health aren't only about what's happening in your brain?

In this special episode of Shrinks on Tap, Dr. Eleni Boosalis sits down with Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist and bestselling author Dr. Uma Naidoo to explore the powerful connection between the gut and the brain—and why what we eat may play a meaningful role in how we feel.

Dr. Naidoo breaks down the science behind the gut-brain connection, including the microbiome, serotonin, the vagus nerve, inflammation, and the ways nutrition can support mental well-being.

Together, Eleni and Dr. Naidoo discuss how the gut communicates with the brain, why gut health matters for mental health, and why supporting your mental well-being may involve looking beyond the brain itself.

In this episode:

• How the gut and brain communicate

• The relationship between the microbiome and mental health

• Why serotonin in the gut matters

• The role of the vagus nerve

• How inflammation can affect mental well-being

• Why nutrition can be another tool for supporting mental health

• How quickly dietary changes may begin to make a difference

This is one of two special Shrinks on Tap conversations with Dr. Uma Naidoo. Follow or subscribe to Shrinks on Tap so you don't miss our next conversation, where we turn from the “why” to the “how” and explore practical ways to use food and nutrition to support mental health.

About Dr. Uma Naidoo

Dr. Uma Naidoo is a Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef, nutritional biologist, and bestselling author whose work explores the connection between food, the brain, and mental health.

Learn more about Dr. Uma Naidoo:

https://umanaidoomd.com

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