Nutrition and Mental Health for Veterans

You trained hard, ate right, and stayed in top physical condition in the military. But after getting out? It’s easy for those habits to fall apart. Food becomes a comfort, a coping mechanism, or just an afterthought in the chaos of civilian life. And before you know it, the disciplined approach you once had is gone. In this episode, Jessica Setnick, a nutritionist specializing in eating behaviors, breaks down why so many veterans struggle with food after service. We dive into the connection between food and mental health, how stress alters your eating habits, and why so many of us reach for food as a way to deal with emotions. This conversation isn’t about dieting or counting calories-it’s about understanding your relationship with food so you can take back control. If you’ve ever found yourself stress-eating, skipping meals, or feeling out of sync with your body, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

01:00 – Why veterans struggle with food after service

09:30 – The link between stress, emotions, and eating habits

25:00 – How military training shapes your eating behaviors

39:00 – Practical strategies to improve your relationship with food

48:45 – Recognizing when food is covering up deeper struggles