Whole Foods Market Tackles Mental Health

COVID-19 has not only taken a toll on people’s physical health, but their mental health as well. To help revitalize consumers’ well-being this spring, Whole Foods Market and Headspace have teamed on a cross-platform collaboration that includes a mood-brightening IGTV (Instagram’s immersive video content) recipe series called “Food for Mood”; three new meditations focused on mindful shopping, cooking and eating; and a one-month free trial of Headspace Plus.

A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Whole Foods Market found 85% of respondents would like to take steps to improve their overall well-being (e.g., health, happiness—both physically and mentally) a year into the pandemic. Connecting with food is also a priority, with 79% of consumers saying they want to learn to eat more mindfully.

Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods and Headspace, an app devoted to mindfulness and meditation, have formed an alliance between the two brands to offer the tools needed to reprioritize physical and mental well-being by tapping into positive moods associated with certain foods.

“After a year of dramatically shifting routines and priorities, we know customers are eager to reprioritize well-being, and the beginning of spring is a great time to reset your meals and renew your mind,” said Kylie Bentley, registered dietitian and team leader of nutrition and compliance for Whole Foods Market, in a statement. “Whole Foods Market is a well-known destination for nutritious food that inspires wholesome meals. Now, together with Headspace, we are able to provide exciting tools for mindfulness.”

Customers can visit Whole Foods' IGTV page to watch the first episode of an original IGTV series featuring recipes created by chef, food and welfare advocate Sophia Roe, in collaboration with Whole Foods Market, and Harvard nutritional psychiatrist, chef and author of "This Is Your Brain on Food," Uma Naidoo.

In each of the four Food for Mood episodes, rolling out through the end of March, experts share mood-brightening recipes inspired by spring’s bounty and feature a fun, food-filled conversation about how to mindfully connect with food and take time for self-care. Episodes highlight specific ingredients and tips to inspire one of four positive moods: joyful, energized, focused and relaxed. 

“Mindful eating is so much more than just paying attention to our food—it encompasses finding joy and inspiration in our shopping, being present and intentional with our meal preparation, savoring what’s on our plate and developing a greater awareness of how it makes us feel or contributes to our well-being,” said Eve Lewis, Headspace director of meditation. “Our goal at Headspace is to improve the health and happiness of the world, and we’re thrilled to work with Whole Foods Market to spark more inspiration and refresh our mindset around our daily routines and experiences with food.”