At Inkwell Arts Café we are passionate about serving delicious, sustainably sourced food and providing events and opportunities that will positively impact mental wellbeing in a variety of ways. Today we were able to combine these two elements, focusing on knowledge that allows individuals to make small changes to their food intake, which will enhance their own wellbeing and all wider endeavours.

During mental health awareness week, Inkwell Arts collaborated with nutritionist Kim Adams to host the first of our Brain Food talks, demonstrating the links between the food we eat and our mental health, before she and all the attendees enjoyed a delicious vegetarian and vegan buffet provided by our cafe team. Audience members emerged from the talk encouraged and fascinated by a topic that affects us all, commenting to one another on how much they enjoyed it. Kim truly conveyed her passion for mental health within the field of nutrition and discussions continued over lunch in the café.

Passionate about her food, Kim discovered nutritional therapy after learning from a dietitian how food impacts everything in our lives: sleep, mental state, relationships, exercise; and cannot be considered in isolation. Food and mental health go hand in hand, and it was clear that Kim and the attendees enjoyed discussing the links, the air full of positivity and genuine interest in the science behind it. Much of the feedback received from her audiences highlights the common sense behind the concept, and yet it may be something we’ve never considered when thinking about food.

The food we eat effects the brain, including our memory and mental state, and by choosing the right food we can really boost our mental health. Consuming a broad variety of foods, of all colours and sources, having a balanced plate at every meal (not just dinner) and therefore maintaining blood sugar balance, are 3 crucial points Kim emphasises. This will help to increase concentration levels, preventing brain fog and ‘crashing’ from processed sugars. Stress responses can affect digestion, reducing the nutrients we gain from food, demonstrating the importance of relaxing in a calm and friendly place when eating. The positive, sociable atmosphere of Inkwell Arts Café is perfect for aiding digestion, instead of your typical TV dinner for example, and everyone present was reaping the benefits.

Kim doesn’t give particular examples of good foods to eat, as the key is “variety and finding foods you enjoy”. Today she described the food at Inkwell Arts as “delicious, with great colours and fresh flavours”. She especially mentioned that “the cake was delicious!” The food was enjoyed by all and the team did a great job preparing it and making the event such a success.

Food is something we all have in common and enjoy, and today was a great opportunity to share knowledge and encourage conversation. We are grateful to be able to work with experts like Kim and put on events that offer such positive messages, that benefit the lives of so many individuals