Our story

Who we are

Think Through Nutrition (TTN) is the UK’s leading voice on the link between nutrition, brain health and behaviour.

Celebrating four decades of innovation, we draw on decades of evidence-based research, led by our world-class team of experts, addressing the rising mental health and behavioural issues linked to poor diets.

In recent decades, poorer diets have coincided with an increase in mental health and behavioural issues.
Think Through Nutrition is rising to the challenge. We offer innovative, sustainable solutions, navigating the intricate relationship between nutrition, brain health and behaviour.

Mental health under siege

1 in 4 of us are likely to experience mental health issues, representing a staggering £118 billion annual cost to the UK economy.

Why we exist

Unsettling food insecurity

Astounding numbers grapple with food insecurity, with 8.4 million families affected daily in the UK.

Nourishment in crisis

Ultra-processed foods have infiltrated our homes, accounting for over half (51%) of all UK household food purchases.

What we do

Our mission is to illuminate brighter futures for everyone, especially society’s most vulnerable, through the power of nutrition. To achieve this, we focus on three key pillars to inform, enable, and transform food choices:

Advancing groundbreaking research
TTN is at the forefront of breakthrough studies on the relationship between nutrition and brain health

Influencing national standards
We are a proactive force, influencing UK food standards and guidelines across various settings and advocating for national policy change

Delivering nutritional programmes
Our digital platform, LANAH, delivers accessible, tailored nutrition education at scale

  • How we work

    Nourishing minds for brighter futures

    Optimal nutrition fuels better mental health and performance, especially for those with limited access to nutritious foods. We empower society's most marginalised groups to transform their diets and shape a brighter future.

    We cast a wide net, working in criminal justice, health and social care, and community settings. Our beneficiaries are as diverse as our settings, ranging from prisoners to children in care homes, from mothers utilising mental health services to individuals battling food insecurity.

    Our goal? To bridge their nutritional gap and help them reach their potential.

    View our campaigns

  • How we work

    Joining forces for change

    Our approach is truly collaborative. We partner with like-minded organisations operating across public, private, and third-sectors to support their service users and employees. Together, we enhance the effectiveness of our partners' initiatives by integrating a key yet often overlooked tool: nutrition.

    To do this, we establish clear impact frameworks, design bespoke programmes, and help organisations improve and demonstrate the economic and social return on investment in better nutrition through in-depth efficacy reports and models.

    See our partners

  • How we work

    Driving lasting transformation

    Our nutrition programmes pave the way for improved dietary habits, health and behaviour, shining a light on the 'food-mood' connection while enabling self-monitoring and awareness.

    At the heart of our work is LANAH, our standout digital nutrition education and impact assessment platform. Unique within the UK charity sector, LANAH adapts to the specific needs of diverse audiences and simplifies complex nutrition science into daily actionable insights.

    Explore LANAH

Our timeline

The evolution of Think Through Nutrition

Tracing our journey from our inception to the present day, we've remained at the forefront of innovation in nutritional science. Our expertise lies in simplifying complex nutritional insights into practical, engaging, and empowering strategies, promoting healthier and happier lives.

1982 - 2000

Linking nutrition, brain health and behaviour

In our early years, we committed ourselves to building a robust foundation:

  • 1982: Our story began as South Cumbria Alternative Sentencing Options (SCASO), advocating for the positive effects of communal eating on young offenders.
  • 1984: Our growth continued as we became a company limited by guarantee.
  • 1986: By gaining charity status, we expanded our influence and outreach.
  • 1991: We transitioned into Natural Justice, delving into the intricate connection between nutrition, brain function and behaviour within the criminal justice system.

2000 - 2009

Demonstrating impact in prisons

Our central aim was to validate nutrition's role in influencing brain health and behavioural patterns in UK prisons:

  • 2002: We unveiled groundbreaking research from HMP Aylesbury, proving that our nutritional interventions led to a 37% reduction in violence and a 26% decrease in other incidents. Findings from studies in the Netherlands echoed these results.
  • 2009: In response to the Bradley Report's focus on mental health issues in prisons, we replicated our Aylesbury Study at HMPs Hindley, Lancaster Farms, and Polmont.

2010 - 2018

Broadening our scope

The Bradley Report's findings nudged us to embrace learning, mental health, and early intervention across various life stages:

  • 2010: We evolved into the Institute for Food, Brain, and Behaviour, a change that reflected our expanded remit.
  • 2015: We launched the Henry Kitchener Prize to encourage better menu development.
  • 2016: We conducted our study with Robert Clack School, revealing a decrease in misbehaviour and improvements in academic performance, impulse control, and mental health.
  • 2018: We crafted resources aimed at national change, supported by annual lectures from renowned scientists and partnerships with the Ministry of Justice and prison governors.

2019 - now

Bringing research into life

  • 2019: We took on a fresh identity as Think Through Nutrition, underscoring our dedication to providing clear, accessible information and cutting-edge solutions.
  • 2020: We began translating our research into effective prison programmes, completing our first pilot at HMP Eastwood Park.
  • 2021: In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS, we addressed food-related challenges in prisons.
  • 2023: We launched LANAH (Learn About Nutrition and Health), our digital education programme, designed to offer engaging and accessible nutrition education to a wider audience.