Hey there Health Seeker, I’m Shahzadi!
I’m a mother, entrepreneur, dietitian and diabetes educator, 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.
Ready for the formal stuff? Here’s my professional bio…
Shahzadi Devje has earned a reputation as a passionate, dedicated, and devoted Healthcare Professional with expertise in delivering nutrition and wellness advice to underserved international communities. By leveraging her experiences as a minority woman, she is able to bring a unique perspective and understanding of obstacles facing today’s South Asian community, and she strives to educate consumers on healthy living best practices.
Shahzadi launched her own business, Desi~licious RD Inc in 2009. She utilizes her platform to share simple strategies for healthy living with 20K+ monthly website visitors, local community members, government, not for profit and corporate organizations, drawing upon credible, science-backed strategies to demonstrate how simple it can be to eat for health, nourish mindfully, and thrive with confidence while enjoying ethnic cuisines. While growing her brand, Shahzadi was also an active community volunteer. She was invited to hold the volunteer Chairperson and Editor position with The Ismaili Nutrition Centre (TINC). From 2016 – 2019, she led the strategic vision of the international, volunteer-driven civil society which strives to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases across 25 countries through better nutrition and an active lifestyle. During her tenure, she nurtured ongoing relationships with high-profile stakeholders at the University of Calgary’s Libin Institute, the Department of Health UK, and the Aga Khan Institutions.
Shahzadi is currently an ambassador for Community Food Centres Canada and is attempting to raise funds and drive awareness on food insecurity amongst low-income Canadians by documenting a 16-day Real Plant-Based Food Adventure in Morocco. She hopes this project will fuel efforts to help build health, belonging and social justice to Canadians struggling with poverty and food insecurity. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, travel and spending time with family.
Shahzadi has exemplary educational qualifications, including a Master of Science in Global Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator and is the nutrition and food expert on CTV Your Morning.
Find Shahzadi’s complete educational and professional work history on LinkedIn.
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. Aired on Discovery Life Channel, in July 2017
– Media features: Forbes, Oprah Mag, Chatelaine, AJC, NBC, NPR, Global News, Self, Women’s Health, Huffington 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
– On-air Nutrition and Food Expert at CTV Your Morning
The pain may be part of the journey, but it doesn’t have to be the endgame
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.
Going predominantly plant-based has been the best thing for my body. I am currently sugar and dairy-free and have minimal gluten 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 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 occasionally 😉
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 and wellness industry, I’ve been incredibly inspired and touched by those I’ve had the good fortune to work with.
As a 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 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!
As a RD – Registered Dietitian, I have a simple approach to healthy living and meal planning.
It’s about self-love, celebrating 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 to eat. Not to mention, how hard it is to find an eating plan that fits in your routine and isn’t restrictive. After all, you want to enjoy the pleasure of eating!
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, bread, 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 offer practical guidance on food choices and dietary plans to help you long-term. Plus the accountability for you to see it through and make it part of your normal health routine.
I help you gain a deeper understanding of 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 help you develop the skills and knowledge to choose and implement nourishing 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 – without compromising the health of our planet! This is truly my jam 😉
“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
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.