Hey there Health Seeker, I’m Shahzadi!
I’m a mother, entrepreneur, diabetes educator, and community activist dedicated to helping you become the person you’re meant to be! I aspire to be your go-giver: a giver of love, a giver of hope, a giver of positive vibes.
There was a time when I was a health seeker myself (not that that’s changed!), and it was because of my own journey into getting my health back on track that I feel so deeply connected to my clients, and compelled to help them.
You see, I was diagnosed with PCOS – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome at age 20. I had always struggled with hormone issues, but the bigger issue was, and still is, my struggle with chronic pain due to inflammation – including back pain.
It actually started when I was 12 years old. I would wake up feeling like I had just gone a round with Mike Tyson. I struggled to walk first thing in the morning, and use my hands because of the intense swelling.
Obviously, it impacted my sleep, my emotions, and my overall quality of life. People looked at me as “the pretty girl” and “the happy-go-lucky girl”. But, they truly had no idea about all the pain and tears.
It was these struggles, this pain, and the constant feelings of frustration that actually gave me the strength and courage to say, “No more! I need to get to the root cause of this, and DO SOMETHING about it!”
So I did. After studying nutrition for some time, I carefully reviewed my diet and made the necessary changes.
Going predominantly plant-based was the best thing for my body. I am currently gluten-free, I’m also sugar- and dairy-free because for me personally, when I eat these things, I wake up in pain and have severe swelling.
That is how my body reacts, so I’ve found this way of eating is what works for my wellbeing as a whole.
The pain may be part of the journey, but it doesn’t have to be the endgame
The very physical and emotional journey around pain, disjointed sleep, and watching people eat the foods I love (like roti, bread and cake!) has been hard. Really hard at times. So, I’ve created my own alternatives to keep me happy and healthy, and I still allow myself things like birthday cake – but just a few bites 😉
I know you might be able to relate to some of my experiences with how changing my diet has dramatically affected the amount of inflammation, and hence, a source of pain and swelling in my body.
I want this kind of amazing result for you too! I can show you how.
During the past 17 years that I’ve been involved in the health industry, I’ve been incredibly inspired and touched by those I’ve had the good fortune to work with.
As an media nutrition expert and devoted community activist, I am fuelled (fired up!) by my passion to help others improve their health and quality of life.
In this highly digitized age where people are bombarded with so many conflicting nutrition messages, I am determined to bring clarity and simplicity through my informative articles, entertaining videos and other media features – all with a creative narrative!
‘Healthy’ doesn’t have to be hard
Welcome to my online world. This is where I blog, cook desi cuisine (well, mostly), take pictures (my newfound hobby), and share my passion for nutrition and wellness – which I almost feel like I was born with!
My roots are in Chitral, Pakistan, but I grew up in England in a traditional family setting. I’m now based in Ontario, Canada with my amazing husband and three young ones.
My love of food and cooking started at a young age, and my Mum still shares stories of me as a 6-year-old, hauling my oversized bag of kitchen goodies from place to place. I would throw dinner parties for anyone I could drag into my game – it was my thing!
I’m also a RD – a Registered Dietitian with a simple approach to healthy living and management of type 2 Diabetes.
It’s about self-love, celebrating our cultural cuisine, and living a conscious life. I believe eating well and caring for yourself is crucial to be successful in your life’s mission, and in staying on top of your game – physically, mentally and emotionally.
This is the approach that I take when I’m given the honour of taking your health in my hands.
Removing guilt from the health optimization equation
I understand your frustration about not knowing WHAT or HOW MUCH to eat to control your blood sugars, not to mention how hard it is to adjust to a new eating plan.
I get that feeling of being scared to eat the wrong foods or you fear that you won’t have the discipline to stick it out long term.
I also completely understand being upset over cutting out foods that you love AND watching other people around you eat those same foods! (You know the ones I’m talking about — pasta, breads, pastries, sweets, soft drinks…all that sweet love!!)
You feel immense guilt about “cheating” on your eating plan – and worry that you’ll pay the price with your health. This is the cost of “dis-ease” – financially, physically and mentally.
I’m declaring NO MORE GUILT or shame around eating!
I want to offer practical guidance on food choices and dietary plans to help you control your sugars long-term plus the accountability for you to see it through and make it part of your normal health routine.
I will help you gain a deeper understanding about what carbohydrates really are, how they function in your body, and that carbs are not the enemy — it’s not about banishing the foods that you love!
I will help you develop the skills and knowledge to choose and implement nourishing, healthier alternatives and bring back the pleasure into eating! YES!!
I’m also excited to provide you with budget-friendly ideas to eat healthier through meal planning mastery! This is truly my jam 😉
Ready to come for a ride? Here’s where I’ve been…
I completed all my formal studies in the UK, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from the University of Surrey, as well as a Masters in Public Health Nutrition from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
My love for learning led me to pursue an additional Masters level Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics from London Metropolitan University, where I completed my internships at Imperial College hospital and St. George’s hospital, London. (yes, I really love learning!)
Before going solo 3 years ago, my focus areas were patient care, health and wellness programming, quality improvement initiatives, community outreach and health promotion.
I am also the Chairperson of The Ismaili Nutrition Centre, a volunteer-driven international civil society on a mission to empower the Ismaili Muslim community to embrace healthy eating and living.
Now being an entrepreneur (and an avid blogger + taker of pretty pictures!), I love to share my passion of healthy living through my writing and photography.
In my opinion, there’s just too much “heaviness” out there that can cloud our vision of how to optimize our health – it’s my mission to help clear up the conflicting health and nutrition information, and lighten it up too!
“Shahzadi, I have had a real awakening working with you – with everything you have taught me and broken it down for me to understand.
With my blood glucose numbers going down, and the way you explain things so easily and simply, and showed me practically – this was the key.
You have had a huge impact on my life – how I eat and you have inspired me to make positive changes to my health.
We need to be listening to great people like you!” – Margi Valle
MY WORK AT A GLANCE
– Named 2016 ‘Dietitians of Canada’ award recipient for leadership in community activist work
– Expert nutritionist and diabetes educator for ReverseD: The first TV reality documentary series tackling diabetes, by celebrity chef, Charles Mattocks. To be aired on Discovery Life Channel in July 2017
– Nutrition and recipe features in key health and fitness magazines, including Today’s Dietitian, Shape, Reader’s Digest, Fitness, Global News, Women’s Health, The Huff Post, and more!
– Corporate wellness dietitian/speaker/coach for leading institutions, including P&G, PwC and Lifescan
– Chairperson: The Ismaili Nutrition Centre – a global initiative to support healthy living in the Ismaili Muslim community
– Co-developer/facilitator of ‘Journey of Awakening,’ a wellness retreat for women
It is because of these amazing experiences that I’m able to better understand and connect with my clients. I love sharing innovative ways to manage symptoms and complications of Diabetes – beyond what you may have already tried.
I am truly committed to helping you be on top of your game!
Together, let’s discover the simple and actionable steps you can take to live a healthy and joyful life. Every day.
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
– Ghandi
How can I be of service to you – and your health?
Grab DIABETES 180
Your FREE starter kit to better management of Diabetes through diet & lifestyle. It’s a healthier YOU…without the frustration!
Desi~liciously Yours,
