Nutrition, Mental Health, and the Invisible Load: A Call to Support Our Military, Veterans, and First Responders

Nutrition is often overlooked when discussing care for our military personnel, veterans, and first responders—but it shouldn't be.

A recent conversation with a friend and fellow professional sent me down a rabbit hole I didn’t expect, but one I’m deeply grateful I followed. We were discussing the significant gaps in care for those who serve, particularly in the areas of mental health, suicide prevention, and nutritional support. The more I explored, the more I realized how much is missing—and how personal this is for me.

My father is a veteran. My father-in-law served in Vietnam. My grandfather was a World War II veteran. Several other family members have served or are currently serving in the military. I’ve also had my own experiences as a first responder and have worked in the mental health field, including at two state forensic mental health facilities. These experiences have profoundly shaped how I show up in my work today.

As a clinical nutritionist specializing in mental health, addictions, and eating disorders, I don’t shy away from the hard questions—because this field doesn’t allow for it. These are complex, layered, and deeply human issues that demand honesty, compassion, and nuance.

I believe in showing all sides of being a practitioner: the evidence-based strategies, the burnout, the vulnerability, and the emotional labor that often goes unseen. Because this work doesn’t just affect clients and patients, it also affects us—those in the trenches of caregiving, coaching, research, mental health, emergency response, and other healing professions. We carry a great deal, and often in silence.

What are the gaps we need to discuss more openly?

• Limited nutritional screening or interventions in military and veteran health systems

• High prevalence of vitamin D, omega-3, magnesium, and B12 deficiencies

• Elevated rates of disordered eating and eating disorders among active duty and retired personnel, often underdiagnosed

• Poor gut health from stress, diet, medications, and irregular eating patterns

• Barriers to accessing high-quality, trauma-informed nutrition care

• Lack of integration between mental health, medical, and nutrition services

• Food insecurity and lack of access to fresh, nutrient-dense meals

• Inadequate support for the transition from active duty to civilian life, especially in terms of holistic wellness

In that spirit, I’ve been digging deeper into how nutrition intersects with:

• Chronic inflammation and trauma

• GI and gut-brain disruption

• Disordered eating and eating disorders

• Suicide risk and systemic gaps in care

• The post-service or post-crisis transition is something no one prepares you for

While nutrition may not be a cure-all, it can offer something profound: regulation, repair, and reconnection, especially for those who have lived through war zones—both external and internal.

What I’m learning is that food can do more than fuel. It can stabilize mood, support brain and gut health, restore depleted systems, and provide a foundation for healing. For many in high-stress professions, it serves as a gateway back to a sense of control and wholeness.

I’m still early in this journey of exploration, but I’m committed to listening, learning, and showing up with honesty and heart.

If you work with veterans, active duty members, first responders, or their families—I’d love to hear from you:

• What’s working?

• What’s missing?

• How can we collectively bridge the gap in care—without stigma?

Let’s keep asking the hard questions. Let’s keep showing up. And let’s build systems of care that truly support the people who help us all.

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