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Food Mad

The Nutritional Neuroscience of the Starved Brain

Food Mad is a book by New Zealand eating disorder dietitian Victoria Schonwald that explores how malnutrition alters the brain, behaviour, and decision-making in eating disorders. Drawing on nutritional neuroscience and clinical experience, the book reframes eating disorders as biological crises of the starved brain rather than problems of willpower or motivation.

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Written for clinicians, parents, and individuals with lived experience, Food Mad explains why nutrition is not an optional part of recovery, but the foundation on which psychological and behavioural change becomes possible.

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Amazon shipping fees to NZ are currently very high. To make the book accessible locally, I’m offering NZ copies directly.

$2 from every sale is donated to EDCS

NZ ORDERS HERE

“Portrait of Victoria Schonwald, New Zealand dietitian and author”
“Cover of Food Mad, a book on nutritional neuroscience and eating disorder recovery”

Who this book is for

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Food Mad is written for:

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  • People with lived experience of eating disorders

  • Parents, partners, and carers trying to understand what is happening to someone they love

  • Health professionals who want a clearer, brain-based framework for risk, recovery, and care

  • Anyone who has felt confused by “normal blood tests,” “normal weight,” or apparent insight in someone who is clearly not well

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You do not need a science background to read this book. Complex ideas are explained clearly, without oversimplifying or minimising risk.

“Victoria Schonwald, dietitian and author of Food Mad”

What this book covers

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This book brings together nutritional neuroscience, clinical experience, and real-world systems knowledge to explain:

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  • How starvation and under-nutrition alter brain function, judgement, and emotional processing

  • Why eating disorders are not driven by vanity, control, or choice

  • Anosognosia and why people may genuinely not recognise how unwell they are

  • Why weight, blood tests, and appearance can be misleading indicators of safety

  • How nutrition affects neuroplasticity, learning, and recovery capacity

  • Why delayed nutritional rehabilitation causes harm — even when intentions are good

  • The role of families, clinicians, and systems in either supporting or obstructing recovery​

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This is not a meal plan.
It is a framework for understanding.

“Victoria Schonwald, dietitian and author of Food Mad”

What makes Food Mad different

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Most books focus on psychology without adequately explaining the brain.

Food Mad centres nutrition as the foundation,  not because food is the problem, but because the brain cannot heal without it.

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The book:

  • Integrates neuroscience with real clinical scenarios

  • Explains why certain approaches fail, not just that they do

  • Acknowledges harm done by well-meaning but under-informed systems

  • Avoids blame, shame, and simplistic narratives

  • Is written by a clinician who works daily with high-risk, complex cases​

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This book does not promise quick fixes.
It offers clarity.

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Recovery doesn’t happen in isolation.
$ from every book sold is donated to EDCS, contributing to education, support, and advocacy for people affected by eating disorders.

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New Zealand Orders Here

Victoria Schonwald – Endorsement for Food Mad

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I have worked with Victoria Schonwald for several years and hold deep respect for both her expertise and the seriousness she brings to her work. As a highly trained specialist eating disorder dietitian, Victoria has an exceptional understanding of the neuroscience of nutrition and its effects on the body and brain across ages, stages, and presentations, including where eating disorders co-occur with other health conditions.

 

What distinguishes her is not only the depth of her knowledge, but her ability to translate complex neurobiological concepts into guidance that is genuinely usable for clinicians, families, and people living with an eating disorder. She is consistently attentive to the wider family system, recognising the profound impact eating disorders have on parents, partners, siblings, and whānau, and this perspective is evident throughout her clinical and consultative work.

 

In my professional experience, Food Mad reflects this same combination of scientific rigour, clarity, and compassion. It is a thoughtful, evidence-based contribution that will be of real value to those seeking a deeper understanding of the relationship between nutrition, the brain, and eating disorder recovery.

 

This endorsement is offered in my personal and professional capacity.

 

Sarah Rowland
Co-Founder & Chairperson
Eating Disorders Carer Support New Zealand

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