Nutrition, Mental Health, and Schizophrenia + How to Make my Go-To Healthy Recipe!

[@LivingWellAfterSchizophrenia]

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[@sarahfletcher9609]

Lauren I just wanted to also say i've really enjoyed your content recently and seeing this laughter and bloopers. Your affect is definitely less flat and it makes me smile (as well as really informative).

[@yelenarotar2307]

She has no flat affect right now, or actually anymore.

[@yelenarotar2307]

And same!!

[@juneack5848]

@@yelenarotar2307 I’m so proud of her and her family and this community for being a place to understand and for mental health in general.

[@yelenarotar2307]

@@juneack5848 I am too. I mean just because I didn’t state everything that’s on my mind doesn’t mean that I don’t agree with you. I mean this comment is really bothering me because just because I don’t say everything that’s on my mind doesn’t mean I am not agreeing with you in which I certainly do and did comment before that I am proud of her journey and her community and how far she has become in her mental illness. I mean makes me feel like I should keep my mouth shut. I mean that really hurt my feelings and I don’t like that.

[@dominicgiglio-tos5982]

Thank you for helping to de-stigmatize schizophrenia, that is no easy task and takes courage. Thank you for the education too, much more is needed. It is doubtless that you have improved many lives with this channel.

[@mrdonniedoomsday3]

I really appreciate your existence. Thank you for making such great videos. Keep up the good work!

[@JREG]

Great video :) love to see the neurochemistry / diet conversation

[@dotti2050]

I see u out here, taking things SERIOUSLY, I see thru ur IRONY

[@SlyRyFry]

Jr. Eg out here getting learnt, imagine that

[@kristenstone2576]

The bloopers were so good haha! That salad looks absolutely beautiful and delicious. I'm so glad you made a video on nutrition. The amount of nutritional information packed into this video blew my mind! Thank you so much for creating this!

[@emmynoether9540]

+++

[@xoeriphenburg4413]

Such a good idea for content!! This was a great way to start my morning; thank you!

[@summer7529]

I have tried vegetarian diet and unfortunately after 6 months strictly following it I ended up being B12 and iron deficient and diagnosed with anemia and my depression symptoms started to get worse and i started getting hallucinations. I struggled a lot that time. I had no reason to be depressed everything was fine in my life ....Trying to look at what changed in my life recently i noticed other than diet nothing else changed. I started using meat and fish. Majority of my diet is mostly vegetables with meat, eggs and fish here and there to keep my anemia at bay and it also reduced symptoms. As long as my nutrition is balanced my symptoms are negligible. Oh and also omega 3 is essential for brain. When i miss taking my omegas , my depression creeps in. Its funny how drs dont teach us about diet and nutrition and its impact on mental health. Thanks to Lauren For this video!! Much needed advise

[@HereInCalifornia56]

Flax seeds are the best for Omega 3's. It costs us less than 5 Cents a day to grind them up. The grinder we got at Goodwill for $3

[@Gazzaxxo]

I love how light hearted and funny this video was while being informative

[@alliefe2439]

I've been watching your show because I have schizo-affective. It's relatable and informative. I've started a plant-based diet because it's really better for me. Steamer bag veggies and quick-rice is good on an off day.

[@Slapperzz]

Awesome. That really is great 🧡

[@yuthurabanchez]

I haven't been great about eating well/cooking recently but a favorite of mine was doing overnight oats for breakfast! Easy and quick to put together the night before and I can throw in some berries or banana or nut butter for protein, etc.

[@emmynoether9540]

This was a very interesting mix of funny chopping with chaotic energy and very helpful Information. Loved it! More of this!

[@julielparks1304]

Yes! I hope you keeping adding lifestyle content as well as your regular informative posts. This one includes very helpful information, but I love that it also normalizes the fact that people are living their lives everyday with this illness. So important to show that and not only the challenges and struggles. Thank you!

[@sew_i_did5257]

I have a few go to recipes I like for busy days or days of zero energy--I have DID, which can be similar to schizophrenia in a ton of ways, with the added symptoms of ADHD and autism with a side of amnesia. Easy meal #1: Equal parts frozen corn, frozen colored peppers, and black beans (my local whole food store carries something called a Santa Fe blend but it's a Wegmans brand, and I'm not sure if other grocery stores carry something similar), heated in the microwave with curry powder and olive oil. Curry powder contains a ton of ginger, and studies have shown that ginger is as effective as diazepam. Meal #2: One of those instant rice and quinoa cups that hasn't been very processed, heated in the microwave and mixed with some cooked spinach, a package of tuna or salmon, and olive oil and salt. Meal #3: A cold and somewhat bland salad, consisting of chickpeas, chopped fresh mango, and oranges. This can be a good salad for bad sensory days, because it's pretty easy to fix and the textures aren't generally awful for me on those types of days. If you don't have mango it's just as good with just oranges or even other soft, easy to eat fruit you might have on hand. Meal #4: Quinoa tabuli (dressing is equal parts lemon juice and olive oil with about 1/4 cup of either fresh chopped mint or fresh chopped parsley), whatever raw vegetables you have on hand, two cans of tuna, and fresh sliced strawberries. Some days I cheat and make this with couscous to save time.

[@juancastillo6491]

Lauren has always been helpful with general mental health

[@Mayrego]

The banter and jokes between you two made this video as much fun as it was informative. Thank you!

[@charbelmikollvdssxv]

You are doing so much good for the human race with these videos! You are one brave beautiful smart woman ! Thank you so much girl you rock !

[@sarahs3637]

I love this recipe because you can also put it on a pan and make it a sauteed dinner

[@htwhyte]

I loved this video! Especially the unedited moments! Thanks for sharing.

[@whatdidsarahsay]

It’s really nice to watch you in a different environment! It’s much lighter and more informal

[@emmy9327]

What a great video!! Great insight & helpful! Love the very natural & fun feel too. What a yummy looking salad.

[@devinnemeyers4008]

Love this vid! The personalities of you two really show up! It’s awesome. I’m BP1 but find this channel so valuable for myself - loved this talk and all the info about nutrition as it pertains to mental health / mood disorders!

[@etbadaboum]

Very nice format. Nutrition is indeed fundamental! Love the humor too. (As a side note, I always take off the skin of vegetables, well most of the time, in order to get rid of chemicals that are stored superficially in them)

[@rpink8531]

How refreshing 🤗. What an excellent idea! 🥰

[@lauraelisee]

Chickpeas on my salad are always my go to! Along with kidney beans 🥰

[@Foodnstuff109]

Your channel has been wonderful for me to understand what's going on with me when I have episodes. Thank you for your content.

[@cuhweenuh]

Love seeing your personality come out and this kind of video was really entertaining and super informative! Thanks for the great content ♥

[@Josh-hy3em]

Nice change of format and very helpful. 👌👍

[@lynnhezeltine3521]

One of my tricks is to keep trail mix on hand (something without any candy or chocolate in it) because it's really easy to toss with some greens and a dressing to make a salad. Also, kale is really good for making salads ahead of time because it doesn't wilt as easily as other leafy greens and it's actually has a little better flavor and texture after being coated in dressing for at least an hour. It's really great for making a salad that will keep well in the fridge for at least a couple of days. Also, I don't routinely wash my fruits and veggies either.

[@bluesky902]

Love this! So wonderful to see you smiling and laughing - you are really showing us how to live well with schizophrenia x

[@remapears]

I love the interactions between Lauren and her husband! Super funny and sweet! I enjoyed the whole video! Thank you for all! ❤️

[@jenjencannon3224]

Great work Lauren... just seeing another person chop and mix and create a big colorful salad has great influence on people!!! Thank you for trying g this for us. Xoxo (but Rob is right you have to wash and dry the veggies well... to try to reduce the pesticides etc)

[@csan_art]

I just loved this video, it was so interesting to learn about nutrition and the best part is to see you joke and enjoy this time. Thank you so much for sharing

[@Madeline96]

Thank you for sharing this. I know you've spoken about it before, but it's so hard managing the weight gain from anti-psychotic medication + trying to keep up the motivation through depression to give your body what it needs - so thank you for keeping it real. I've started the couch to 5k program btw, which has been great for my mental wellbeing and self-esteem too!

[@Evalness]

Yaaaay thank you for this!!! what a nice recipe, and a very fun and informative video!

[@layotheleprechaun]

A psycho-biotics diet has helped my psychosis tremendously!

[@fembot521]

When I cleaned up my diet and started supplementing with vitamins to help my deficiencies my depression completely went away and my anxiety got a lot better. If I slip I notice it right away the next day. I also gave up alcohol 2 yrs ago and it has helped so much! I’ve cut out wheat, coffee, sugar and I see a naturopathic DR who monitors my progress and helps me. I just made my lunch for the week which consists of chicken breasts shredded, onions and peppers and wild rice. I top it with hot sauce and cheese and some cilantro. Yum! I also like to use watered down hummus as a dressing. I also make my own homemade ranch dressing using homemade mayo!

[@kristymarie6065]

What supplements have helped your depression?

[@annettecalandriello1123]

So glad I watched this video, Great go-to salad, Thanks.

[@davidsmith228]

I love this. It shows how happy you really are and let’s us all see you for who you really are. GREAT CONTENT!!!

[@meowimtired7282]

Thank you for this! I can’t believe I never thought about this, everything I love in a bowl 😊

[@yelenarotar2307]

Very informative!!! Love it. Going to try it!!!! Love the idea of this salad!!!❤️

[@roxannejohnson3998]

I tried it. It tastes freaking amazing!

[@JohannaRose85]

This video is great! ❤️❤️❤️ Diet is definitely medicine! Your laugh is so cute and you seem so happy! Love it x

[@FromTheHealingWellSomatics]

Awesome video Lauren. So great to see this playful energy in you as well as in depth nutritional information. Thanks

[@mosaic-mind]

I love how you left in yours' and Rob's banter, it's hilarious!

[@jeannedearden897]

Love this video, you were informative as well as entertaining.

[@zinnias777]

Loved this i like salads and didn't think of all the things you can actually add to it ! And love the fun "behind the scenes" shows the realness!! 😊

[@isabellam3421]

Content and info, amazing as always. But I really enjoyed the more casual, chatty nature, getting more of an insight into your personal life outside your mental illness. Loving these style of videos!

[@bruceharvey4983]

Thank you guys for all your videos I'm also have schizophrenia and your videos help me out lots God bless

[@Psychx_]

Always use a combined Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K supplement, as taking them together prevents developing arteriosclerosis (compared to taking D3 alone).

[@alisonnevil7141]

This was such a fun change from your usual videos. And the banter between you and Rob was really fun. Oh,,, and more baby in the videos!! All the best to you.

[@novascotiahomesteading455]

Ive been doing a keto-ish diet regime for 4 years now and its helped immensely not only with mitigating the med weight gain but also improving clarity of my thoughts.

[@egiver17]

Such a fun and helpful video, Lauren!

[@michaelmorin4158]

Lauren it was so great to see your personality shine through!!! Don't feel bad I'm a hand talker as well. :)

[@saratexas5181]

Love this idea! I have anxiety that looks a lot like ADHD and it causes lots of issues issues in the kitchen.

[@sandy4923]

Great video! It is funny and I really enjoy watching you cut those vegetables!

[@vikkigough9009]

Your hair looks amazing! Both the colour and the cut. Really suits u ☺️

[@cristinafrick9773]

This looks really good, thanks Lauren!:) Feta cheese and olives would be delicious in this too:) Take care everyone- I always appreciate that you wish us all good health at the end of these videos Lauren, thanks so much- definitely wishing you all good health and happiness too!:) Theodore is adorable, congratulations!:)

[@theverbind]

Love this video! Thanks Lauren!

[@JoeSmith-pu9hi]

These videos are awesome.

[@meredithweir]

I always love your videos! This video is really great because I have been working on a better diet for mental well being!

[@joecosenza1473]

Thank you so much for this video!! I haven't had a good laugh in a long time. Pure honesty. Thanks for the info as well ❤ p.s. Rob sounds like me messing with my wife and laugh at the same time 😂

[@FrumpyPumpkin]

Just saying hi and thanks for all you do.

[@writinginmyhead]

Also you can sometimes get veggies pre-cut in the produce dept for those of us who don't have the executive function or motivation to spend the time cutting veggies - because THAT looked exhausting!

[@nathancannings3816]

1. Gluten is a common brain allergy for many schizophrenics. 2. Eating processed sugar can increase risk for irritability and aggressive behaviour. 3. Coffee and other high caffeine drinks can increase dopamine levels. Which is undesirable. 4. Smoking affects dopamine in unhealthy ways and is undesirable. 5. Eating low mercury fish is good brain food.

[@SyntagmaStation]

Kudos for this video. #1 worry psychiatrists have about antipsychotic drugs: Weight gain and consequent metabolic disease. This topic is a super important part of getting this “thing” under control (to the extent it can be controlled).

[@shinyscrotum94]

Loved this video lol, keep it up Lauren. You're a hero.

[@heathercrumpler5353]

Are you a stay at home mom? Do you clean your house and cook meals? Do you drive a car? I have bipolar disorder mixed and OCD. Sometimes my house is so clean and sometimes it is a mess. Sometimes I can cook and sometimes I just can’t do it, so I have to eat out or just drink a protein shake.

[@jmk1962]

I make raw salads like yours all the time but I make the dressing seperately in a screw top jam jar. Easier to shake and mix it and then I add it to my portions when I am about to eat it. That way the veg stays crispier than adding the dressing all at once which can make it a bit soggy IMO. You are looking so well especially as you have just given birth.

[@Psychx_]

Having at least one meal a day that consists completely of different fruits or vegetables, aswell as supplementing B Vitamins and making sure my Vitamin D3 levels are in check has helped my depressive symptoms quite a bit. The only wheat source in my nutrition is my breakfast muesli (10% whole grain wheat) as I automatically stopped eating bread. Secondary effects: I lost a lot of weight (86kg -> 66kg), I feel fitter and my thyroid function has increased (2.8 units -> 3.12; upper limit that's considered healthy: 3.5 units).

[@drstarship777]

You are adorable! Thank you for sharing this.

[@mrs.doubtfire9335]

I was vegan and only ate healthy food. Unfortunatley it didnt help me as much. But hopefully it helps others 💜

[@rebekahelizabeth9881]

I really love this. Can you do a video on how you lost weight after having a baby? I struggle getting my mind in the right place and motivated.

[@alezandradavila2581]

My diet has a huge impact on my mental health and mood

[@Stephanie-us3bj]

Thank you for this video. I feel like we focus way too much on the benefit of good nutrition for our physical health/weight but not enough people talk about nutrition from a mental health standpoint. When my anxiety or depression is bad, sometimes I struggle to give myself more than a handful of crackers or a can of soup. The struggle is real. Also - the salad looks soooo amazing but I will say that for some people (myself included) too many raw veggies (especially peppers, cauliflower and broccoli) will wreak havoc on my digestive system but I appreciate that we can make this recipe our own and add whatever we like/agrees with our tummies! And sorry that this is completely unrelated but where is your super cute and comfy looking romper from?

[@Catlily5]

I struggle to feed myself also. I try to have healthy snacks around. I eat an apple every day. I have trail mix. Luckily eating raw vegetables works for me. I eat baby carrots. Salads are good but sometimes even just cutting all the veggies feels overwhelming.

[@anabarnes4654]

I did a 30 day detox (no processed foods, only organic/non gmo produce, no sugar, no dairy, no gluten, no legumes, no alcohol or coffee, no rice and potatoes either), I then slowly reintroduced potatoes, rice, legumes and had no difficulties staying off the rest. Dairy and gluten aren't great , causing inflammation. Alcohol and coffee are psychoactive substances , so definitely a bad idea. And sugar causes ups and downs because of blood sugar levels....Then processed foods are obviously not very healthy :). So I just tried without and I have never felt more stable. PS. along with doing blood work and taking supplements for what I was missing such as Vitamin D and B12

[@HereInCalifornia56]

Try 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar each day. Or every other day at least. It's really cheap.. It helped my sons digestion and acid reflex after about a month he was able to go off his GERD medicine.

[@Psychx_]

My favourite salad: Iceberg salad, tomatos, cucumber, feta, fresh basil, dried italian spice mix, freshly roasted sesame, a pinch of salt, olive oil, condimento bianco.

[@clintpatty]

Have you tried it with butter lettuce in place of iceberg?

[@Psychx_]

@@clintpatty Yes. It's also delicious :D

[@barbaramarshall5271]

I wish I could get some salad into my daughter who has schizo affective disorder but as she has autism and arfid which is a very restrictive diet and mostly wheat, it's not easy. I would love to see her eat anything not wheat based. Thanks for your videos Lauren and Rob

[@Catlily5]

The reason to wash vegetables and fruits is they often have pesticides on them.

[@RaysDad]

Also, fresh produce has toxic herbicides on them; I always scrape carrots, peel off the first layer of onions, and scrub apples under running water with a plastic "produce brush." I remove the outer leaves of iceberg lettuce and then soak the entire head in a large tub of cold water three times. "Better safe than sorry!"

[@Mia-es1rp]

@@RaysDad also they have been handled quite a bit by who knows what on their hands but especially because of pesticides if you couldn't find organic.

[@RaysDad]

@@Mia-es1rp Yes, I prefer organic when available. Some organic produce even tastes better, especially tomatoes, yams and bananas, and honey.

[@soledadgarciavazquez2163]

I never thought a vegetable bowl could look so good.

[@peternolan814]

Hello, I'm almost 68 and I have been a vegetarian since 2008 and a vegan since October 2016. My favourite dinner is boiled potatoes and a can of peas. My weight is constant for years now so I must be eating enough. When I was injected with a massive overdose of Largactil(chlorpromazine) in May 1987 aged 33 my weight increased from what was a constant weight of 161 pounds from the age of 18 to 205 pounds. Then not that long before Mammy died in February 2014 my weight then spontaneously decreased over about four weeks from that 205 pounds approximately to the 168 pounds it is today a normal weight for my height of five foot ten or eleven. I have suffered awful bad with irritable bowel syndrome IBS since November 1971 over 49 years ago but thank God, because the muscles in my core that were ingrained with tension are relaxing more every day, the feeling in my stomach is at long, long last returning to normal. I still have a little ways to go before the muscles in my core around my stomach truly fully relax. People cant't imagine what I have suffered after eating food because I have this egregious case of IBS that went undiagnosed till January 2018 can you believe it? In my case that truly awful feeling in my stomach has had a devastating effect on my mental health. It's beyond the understanding of the average person. I hope the extremely hot weather in British Colombia, that we see on our TV here in Ireland, will abate soon. All the best and many thanks, Peter Nolan. Ph.D.(physics). Dublin. Ireland.

[@jacquelineleitch7050]

I can relate to what you say.

[@peternolan814]

@@jacquelineleitch7050 Greetings Jacquie, Magic to hear from you. I hope you will feel as great as I feel today noticeably better, can you be believe it, than I felt even yesterday a mere 24 hours ago. I'm off for a walk now in half an hours time at 9:00am GMT Monday the 12th Of July and I hope to knock on the door along the route of an adorable friend of mine who just turned 75 and on the very same day as his birthday celebrated his wedding anniversary his wife having a serious case of Parkinson's disease. We will, I hope, discuss at his door the latest news in politics here in Ireland with the leader of the moderate Fianna Fáil party and leader of the present government, Mícheál Martin, coming under pressure. Peter.

[@ImpTheVicious]

Lauren, you look wonderful!

[@marionoschelmuller1718]

For me is helpful to only eat beef and lamb with beef fat. I sleep way better and I can think clearer. For me chicken is not good, I get soo tired and I get brain fog. But I find mineral water also helpful especially with plenty of magnesium in it. It relaxes and also improves my sleep quality. It was nice to eat other things though (from time to time I do, but then my sleep gets messy and then I stop again).

[@ScreamOfTheButterfly1]

It's a good video but my motivation is to low for such, my go to healthy recipe is two minutes noddles with microwave frozen veggies

[@siuxsie8446]

💙💙more like this💙 nutrition is really important,specially when taking meds...cause one tends to gain more weight.

[@thisisnightlive]

Jippy tonight I'm free from schizophrenia my suffering is gone thank you Jesus all glory to God

[@TheRaiden316]

Thank you so much for making videos like this. I volunteer with an organization that focuses on helping people in the wake of a natural disaster, and I found your channel while looking for a better understanding of schizophrenia symptoms in relation to that context. I have two video suggestions to offer. First, I'd be interested in seeing a reaction the music video for "Sombody's watching me" by Rockwell. Second, I'd love to hear your thoughts on how best to help someone calm down if they were having a psychotic episode.

[@robbertvanderkolk1073]

Thanks for the healthy food tip! That’s been really helpfull. Earlyer is made a comment (didn’t mean to harm, but it was just a tip).

[@floridarachel]

I just love you both for being so open! Thank you for making mental illness a normal disease instead of one you need to be ashamed of. It is not a character flaw, but a disease just like any part of your body that is malfunctioning. IE: Diabetes, Thyroid Disease. We take medicine to correct those, as well. Keep up the good work! Much admiration for you Lauren❣️

[@anabarnes4654]

Thank you, that's such a cute and amazing video. Nutrition is the #1 in my healing journey. I eliminated dairy, gluten, sugar, coffee and alcohol and was able to start tapering medication. I did it with Kelly Brogan's (her Vital Mind Reset program) help who's literally been/ is my savior when it comes to releasing my fears, getting out of the prison of the mind and finally starting to heal (=shedding all the labels and finding the actual roots of my suffering). I am not judging anyone who takes medication because everyone's experience is different but it has never helped me as much as the changes I did when it comes to nutrition (and working on my trauma).

[@shieh.4743]

Important information. I wonder how you might manage a very limited food budget with a need for good nutrition.

[@stoneyvowell1239]

They say if you crave something that means you are deficient in something in it. That could explain why i like chicken so much!

[@melb2734]

Apparently, I'm very deficient in chocolate :)

[@2listening1]

Sounds delicious 😃👍

[@pavelgavlikmusic]

I love your videos and would like to ask a follow up question. I have enormous binge eating problem, mostly because of my medication. I try to stay healthy but I cannot fall asleep when I am atleasts a tiny bit hungry. Do you have any tips for that? It really worries me.

[@BergenholtzChannel]

Some fresh lemon juice or vinegar is good on a salad like this, too

[@mirimiriela480]

You guys are too funny! XD My understanding of gluten and schizophrenia is that for people who have problems digesting gluten, it can result in schizophrenia that is really hard to treat. I don't think everyone or even most people with schizophrenia are sensitive to gluten, but for a small subset of people who are sensitive to gluten, it's possible for them to present initially for care with schizophrenic symptoms that is only later discovered to be related to a gut health issue. I could be totally wrong about this, though--I haven't actually researched it.

[@KatieM786]

Off-topic I know, Lauren your hair looks great! I feel like it's new but I may have missed a few videos lately. ❤️💜

[@heathercrumpler5353]

Do you drink coffee ☕️ or caffeine? I know it make my bipolar worse sometimes. I don’t know what to do. Sometimes I get scared to drive my car. I mostly avoid the high way. Any suggestions? What do you do to deal with this?

[@melissar342]

You looks so beautiful Lauren 💜 hope you are doing well !

[@clintpatty]

6:26 appears to be some variety of J.A. Henckels 8" Chef's Knife without any extra-particular steel.

[@WWS322]

Croutons really make a salad. I use fatty dressing, my favorite is honey mustard.