Food and mood: A nutritional and mood assessment of a 30-day vegan space diet

• Effect of a vegan “space diet” on nutrient intake, body weight and mood was examined.
• Diet produced an average loss of 1.7 kg with minor effect on mood.
• Change in mood was more related to weight loss rather to menu fatigue of diet.
• Additional post-study measurements would allow more comprehensive conclusions.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of eating a total vegan “space diet”, ad libitum, on nutrient intake, weight and mood in a group of 16 non-vegetarians. The 10-day diet was repeated three times within the 30 day study. A weekly mood questionnaire was administered to the 16 subjects of the study and to a control group prior, during and post consumption of the vegan diet. Consumption of the diet produced a mean weight loss of 1.7 kg. In addition, two mood factors changed significantly between the pre-study, study and post-study periods: vigor and fatigue. The effect of the diet on mood appeared to be more related to the weight loss than to the effects of diet. The nutritional profile of the diet was satisfactory with the exception of its low calcium level and high fiber level.