The Mental Health & Nutrition Group is designed to promote mental health through healthy eating and nutritional care. This group uses evidenced-based healthy lifestyle interventions that reduce the risk of chronic diseases and enhance the mental health of our patients. This is a 10-week program in which patients can enter after completing an evaluation with one of the group leaders.

Patients will learn:

• How to plan quick and tasty meals on a tight budget
• What foods are essential for a nutritious diet
• How to increase energy, reduce depression, and maintain a healthy weight with adequate protein
• How good fats can help maintain a healthy weight and improve memory, focus, and concentration
• What healthy snacks can diminish food cravings and help with anxiety
• How to eat to improve sleep and fuel the body for exercise
• The impact carbohydrates have on blood sugars, imbalanced moods, and compulsive eating
• The role vitamin or mineral deficiencies can play in fatigue, weight, depression, gastrointestinal issues, and other chronic conditions
• The possible connections of gluten on diabetes, thyroid, and gastrointestinal issues
• How to navigate through the grocery store and pick healthy foods

Mental Health & Nutrition Group Locations:

Apple Valley Clinic
Tuesdays from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Group Facilitated by:
Kim O’Brien, RD, LD, and Samantha Huguelet, DNP, APRN, CNS

Eden Prairie Clinic
Thursdays from 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Group Facilitated by:
Samantha Garrels, RD, LD, and Tiffany Hurt PA-C

Woodbury Clinic
Wednesdays from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Group Facilitated by:
Kim O’Brien, RD, LD, and Catherine Matthews, APRN, CNP

Coon Rapids Clinic
Tuesdays from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Group Facilitated by:
Laura Szondy, RD, LD and Alison Spano, LICSW

Maple Grove Clinic
Thursdays from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Group Facilitated by Laura Szondy, RD, LD, CLT, and Patti Brown, APRN, CNS

Otsego Clinic
Thursdays from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Group Facilitated by Laura Szondy, RD, LD, CLT, and Linnea Ritter, MS, CNP, APRN