Fix Jail Food, Fix behavior Part 2: mental health
In the blog, “Fix Jail Food, Fix Behavior,” we outlined the evidence pointing to improved physical and mental outcomes when adjustments are made to detainee diets and water systems. The cost of providing intentional diets and supplements may be offset by lowered overall medical costs. In this blog, we will outline specific diet changes to target mental health issues and provide next steps to fixing jail food and behavior in your facility.
Use the keto diet for psychotic disorders
A ketogenic (keto) diet has been shown to reduce psychotic symptoms in people with severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.¹,² There are also many cases where the keto diet has successfully treated epileptic seizures.³ The diet works by reducing brain inflammation (swelling) that can lead to or worsen brain dysfunction.⁴
When a detainee is experiencing psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking, ask the practitioner to consider ordering a keto diet. The keto diet consists of:
75% fats
20% protein
5% carbohydrates (carbs)
Jail diets are generally high in carbs like bread or rice, but the keto diet avoids these items in favor of things like cheese, yogurt, and plant-based foods like nuts.⁵,⁶ Negotiate these items into your contract with your food vendor to make sure you are not over-charged. Use the keto diet for psychotic disorders.
Put vitamins on commissary
Deficiencies of vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3s are known to trigger mental health problems.⁷ Making these supplements available on commissary can help give detainees access to nutrition that jail food may otherwise not provide.
The sodas and highly processed foods typically available on commissary may be contributing to poor health and behavior issues in detainees.⁷ Adding nutritional supplements can help offset these issues. Ask your medical provider to consider prescribing supplements for mental health patients and put vitamins on commissary.
For more information, please contact training@sparktraining.us.
1. Palmer, C. M., Gilbert-Jaramillo, J., & Westman, E. C. (2019). The ketogenic diet and remission of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia: Two case studies. Schizophrenia Research, 208, 439–440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2019.03.019
2. Newiss M. (2025). Case report: Remission of schizophrenia using a carnivore ketogenic metabolic therapy with nutritional therapy practitioner support. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12, 1591937. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1591937
3. Sethi, S., Wakeham, D., Ketter, T., Hooshmand, F., Bjornstad, J., Richards, B., Westman, E., Krauss, R. M., & Saslow, L. (2024). Ketogenic diet intervention on metabolic and psychiatric health in bipolar and schizophrenia: A pilot trial. Psychiatry Research, 335, 115866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115866
4. Hung, A. A., Krycer, J. R., Sarnyai, Z., Palmer, C. M., & Navarro, S. (2025). The ketogenic diet: An anti-inflammatory treatment for schizophrenia? Journal of Inflammation Research, 18, 16761–16771. https://doi.org/10.2147/JIR.S540859
5. Graff, S. (2019). A cardiologist’s take on the keto diet. Penn Medicine. https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/a-cardiologists-take-on-the-keto-diet
6. Health Tips. (2025). What is the keto diet, and can it be beneficial to you? UC Davis Health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/good-food/what-is-the-keto-diet-and-can-it-be-beneficial-for-you/2025/05
7. Mommaerts, K., Lopez, N. V., Camplain, C., Keene, C., Hale, A. M., & Camplain, R. (2023). Nutrition availability for those incarcerated in jail: Implications for mental health. International Journal of Prisoner Health, 19(3), 350–362. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-02-2022-0009
Disclaimer
All materials have been prepared for general information purposes only. The information presented should be treated as guidelines, not rules. The information presented is not intended to establish a standard of medical care and is not a substitute for common sense. The information presented is not legal advice, is not to be acted on as such, may not be current, and is subject to change without notice. Each situation should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. When in doubt, send them out!®
