At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Aashima Gupta for an exclusive interview with us. Aashima is a Clinical Nutritionist, Dietitian and Influencer. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, her background and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Aashima:
Talk us through your background and your journey, please;
I am from Gurgaon. I started my professional journey as a nutritionist by interning in some of the famous multispecialty hospitals after my postgraduation. I completed my master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Manav Rachna International University and am a Certified Diabetes Educator from Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon.
I started my own virtual clinic @AppetiteCookHealthy in 2020. I specialize in diabetes reversal and weight loss along with providing therapeutic diets to patients dealing with certain medical conditions and nutritional deficiencies.
I have been practising nutrition for more than two years now and cover human nutrition (Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood & Older adulthood), weight management and medical nutrition therapy (e.g., Diabetes, Hypertension, eating disorders, Thyroid, PCOS, Fatty liver, Pregnancy, Lactation, Celiac disease, IBS, High Uric acid, Lipid disorders) and have a vast knowledge of Diabetes/Insulin response in diabetic patients.
In an extremely short span of time, I have dealt with patients domestically and globally. I believe that all the joy of life comes from the right food you eat – in the right amounts and, at the right time.
How did you discover your passion as a ‘Nutritionist/ Dietitian’?
I have always been interested in Food and Nutrition, and I really enjoy helping people to improve their health. I decided to become a dietitian so that I could help people to make positive changes to their diet and lifestyle and to improve their overall health, something that I like to do for myself too.
What is your favourite part about being a Dietitian? What drives you?
There are many things that I enjoy about being a Dietitian. I love helping people to improve their health and well-being through Nutrition.
I even enjoy the challenge of creating healthy and delicious recipes. Additionally, I find it gratifying to see people make positive changes in their lives as a result of the advice and guidance I provide.
Empowering and challenging the myths, stereotypes about the wellness journey to have self-awareness and courage to do their own therapy to live a life of respect, dignity and treat others with the same ethical principles is my driving force.
I believe in sharing joy with health and that’s the first principle of @AppetiteCookHealthy by Dt. Aashima Gupta. I believe all people are capable of change. It is important to understand that people are shaped by their experiences and circumstances.
At @AppetiteCookHealthy we envision a world in which all people have access to treatment that can help them improve their health and fitness. Healing themselves along with healthier families and communities.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My biggest source of motivation in life is my parents. They not only encouraged me to follow my dreams but also helped me spread my wings.
Their strong and positive attitude inspired and motivated me to grow through all the hurdles of life. Also, their love has kept me smiling, shin-ing, and warm.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is working with clients who have very restrictive diets. It can be difficult to help them find the right food that they can eat and enjoy while staying within the bounds of their diet.
Additionally, it can be challenging to help clients stick to their diet when they are faced with tempting foods or situations.
What are some of the most common misconceptions about diet and nutrition?
Some people believe that they need to eat less to lose weight, when in fact they may need to eat more to make their diet right. Others believe that all fats are bad for you, when in fact some fats are essential for good health.
Still, others believe that eating healthy foods is expensive, when in fact many healthy foods are actually quite affordable.
What is your advice for our people who are trying to eat healthier?
There are a few things that people can do if they are trying to eat healthier. First, they should focus on eating more whole foods. This means eating a “RAINBOW DIET”, i.e., eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
They should also try to limit their intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated fats. Additionally, they should make sure to get enough macro and micronutrients. Finally, they should drink plenty of water.
What are some of your favourite healthy recipes?
Some of my favourite healthy recipes include sprouted moong, makhana chaat, quinoa salad with grilled tofu, cabbage dumplings. I also love making homemade soups, like lentil soup or white bean soup.
What are some of your favourite tips for eating out healthily?
Some of my favourite tips for eating out healthy are:
> Plan ahead and make sure you have a healthy option in mind before you go out to eat. This way you’re not tempted by unhealthy choices when you’re at a restaurant.
> Stick to simple, grilled or baked dishes rather than anything that’s fried or covered in sauce.
> Load up on veggies and if possible, choose a salad as your entrée.
> Limit your alcohol intake, as it can add empty calories to your meal. If you do drink, opt for wine or light beer.
> And finally, don’t forget to enjoy yourself! Eating out should be a fun experience, so make sure to savour your food and company.
What are some of your favourite tips for staying on track with a healthy diet?
There are a few key things that I always recommend to my clients when it comes to staying on track with a healthy diet.
First, I always suggest planning ahead. This means taking the time to meal prep or cook in advance so that you have healthy options readily available.
Second, I recommend keeping a food journal or tracking what you eat in some way. This can help you be more mindful of your eating habits and make better choices. Finally, I suggest listening to your body and giving yourself permission to indulge occasionally. Balance is the key!
What are some of your favourite tips for cooking healthier meals at home?
There are a few simple tips that can help you cook healthier meals at home:
– Bake, grill or stir-fry your food instead of frying it.
– Use healthy oils like olive oil or groundnut oil for cooking.
– Add plenty of vegetables to your meals.
· Steam or cook vegetables in water instead of using butter or margarine.
– Use fruit instead of sugar to sweeten your food.
– Limit your intake of salt, saturated fats and trans-fat.
– Choose leaner cuts of meat and trim any visible fat before cooking.
What are some of your favourite tips for eating healthy on a budget?
There are a few things you can do to eat healthy on a budget:
~ Plan your meals in advance. This will help you save money by allowing you to buy groceries in bulk and cook at home rather than eating out.
~ Stick to simple recipes. Complex recipes with many ingredients can be expensive and time-consuming to make.
~ Buy seasonal produce. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are typically cheaper than those that are out of season.
~ Avoid processed foods. These foods tend to be more expensive and less healthy than whole, unprocessed foods.
~ Shop at discount grocery stores or online retailers. You can often find healthy food options for less money at these types of stores.
Last but not least, what are some of your favourite tips for living a healthier lifestyle overall?
Living a healthier lifestyle can help reduce the risk of developing various diseases and disorders, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
Furthermore, eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can improve mental health, increase energy levels, and promote overall well-being.
There are many small changes you make to make your lifestyle that can have a big impact on your health. Here are some of the tips:
– Eat breakfast every day.
– Make sure to include protein, healthy fats and fibre in every meal.
– Drink 2-3 litres of water throughout the day.
– Avoid sugary drinks and empty calories.
– Get regular exercise.
– Get enough sleep every night.
– Reduce stress levels.
– Quit smoking
– Track your journey to achieve your fitness goals
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
