Psynergy Programs Dietician Trains in London for Advanced Degree

June 28, 2018 - Peri Gershoni, RDN, BSc has been the dietician for Psynergy Programs since October, 2016.  She has a passion for fresh ingredients, appealing presentation, great taste and above all, healthy meals that fit with Psynergy’s ongoing commitment to “food as medicine.”

In this role, Gershoni writes a bi-monthly blog appearing on the Psynergy Programs website that includes nutritional information, recipes and tips for healthy eating.  

“Peri Gershoni has been a wonderful addition to the Psynergy team, and her recipes and approach to food are much appreciated by our clients,” says Chief Communications Officer Jean Edwards. “Our client families also enjoy the food preparation tips and recipes from Peri’s blog, at psynergy.org/blog.  We don’t mind when a bit of British English slips in now and then.”

In 2017 Gershoni moved to London, where she joined a prestigious program at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital trust, which is affiliated with Imperial College London.  She will be completing a master’s degree in dietetics starting in the fall.  Gershoni is a member of the British Eating Disorder Society (BrEDS),and the British Dieticians Association (BDA). Gershoni is also taking courses with the BDA.

In her current role at Chelsea and Westminster hospital, Gershoni works in the specialist area of eating disorders, a branch of the mental health department.  Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team of medical professionals that includes a psychiatrist, psychotherapists and family therapists, Gershoni takes part in weekly team meetings and courses as part of her ongoing professional development.

“This is an exciting time to be here, and to be exposed to cutting-edge research alongside some of Europe’s leading institutions in medicine and mental health,” says Gershoni.  “We know that our diet is crucial to both physical and mental well-being.  More and more evidence is revealing that a diet of highly processed, nutrient-poor, energy-dense foods often leads to people who are both overfed and undernourished.”

According to Gershoni, the brain requires a large proportion of energy and nutrient intake as it has a high metabolic rate.  It is detrimental to brain function when the diet is deficient in vitamins, minerals, fats and amino acids.  

Gershoni notes that in recent years there has been extensive research into the effects of nutrition on mental health.  Much evidence has shown that healthy dietary patterns are associated with positive mental health outcomes.

“I believe that my new role as part of this professional, multidisciplinary team in a clinical mental health department will significantly enhance my contribution as Psynergy’s dietitian,” says Gershoni. “Using my newly acquired knowledge, sourced from evidenced-based research and guidelines, we will be able to utilize even better targeted nutritional approaches for mental health therapy.”

The world-renowned Chelsea and Westminster hospital is one of the highest ranked hospitals in the United Kingdom, with specializations in mental health, pediatrics and emergency care.  Many of the hospital’s employees hold research contracts with Imperial College London, where the hospital plays an integral role in teaching students.