India is home to more than 77 million people with diabetes, 135 million people with obesity and metabolic disorders such as fatty liver, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Given that the country has the highest rates of malnutrition and more than 224 million undernourished people, nutritional counseling is even more important because it addresses both extremes of the health spectrum. The unsung heroes of India’s fight against health crises are nutritionists, who help prevent early-stage disorders and manage chronic diseases. They act as educators, enabling people to make sustainable dietary decisions in a world full of false information spread by social media. They play a crucial role in helping people adopt healthier, more balanced lifestyles by addressing the root causes and developing customized and sustainable solutions for well being.

Dr K.Sharayu Shanmathi is a dentist turned nutritionist who founded Nutrimealmate as a platform devoted to changing lives via functional nutrition, because of her love for holistic health and individual well-being. Her career started in dentistry, but she developed a greater interest in the therapeutic potential of nutrition after experiencing a personal battle with rapid weight gain. Rather than turning to band-aid solutions or short-lived fad diets, Dr Sharayu was committed to identifying the underlying causes of her problems.

Her interest in evidence-based nutritional solutions was sparked by her personal experience with conventional weight-loss programs, such as liquid diets, which conflicted with her practical sensibilities and disciplined lifestyle. Motivated by this experience, she went on to earn a certification in functional nutrition and a postgraduate diploma in nutrition and dietetics. She took a number of advanced classes to expand her knowledge further, delving deeply into the science of nutrition to address the metabolic and lifestyle issues that people face today.

Through Nutrimealmate, Dr Sharayu provides a variety of services that are sustainable and customizable. Her programs include

therapeutic nutrition aimed at addressing digestive health problems as well as weight management plans customized to each person’s needs for weight loss or maintenance. Dr Sharayu’s plans are long-term sustainable because they are inclusive and let clients eat a range of foods while staying balanced. Her programs are designed to break the cycle of yo-yo dieting by promoting lifelong lifestyle changes that clients can adopt, in contrast to restrictive or fad diets that result in temporary weight loss followed by inevitable weight gain. Her vision is to empower people to embrace health as a sustainable, lifelong journey.

“We provide both in-person consultations and virtual sessions via video calls, guaranteeing smooth communication via email, WhatsApp, and routine follow-up calls to serve clients throughout South India. We offer comprehensive, frequently updated meal plans with instructions in English or regional languages, depending on client preferences, to make nutrition approachable and relatable”, informs Dr Sharayu.

True health lies in embracing balanced living, making informed, sustainable choices, and rejecting restrictive, short-term fixes

Habits for Lifelong Wellness
According to Dr Sharayu, consistency and gradual changes are the keys to long-term health. Her method encourages clients to make small, manageable adjustments to their routines and favors gradual, realistic improvements over drastic ones. Understanding that modern lifestyles can be difficult, particularly for those who work, she stresses the value of meal planning as a way to stay organized and cut back on unhealthy food choices. She also encourages her clients to pay attention to their bodies and eat with awareness and intention, promoting mindful eating.

What differentiates Dr Sharayu from other nutritionists are the regular follow-ups, progress tracking, and weekly meal plan updates, which guarantee variety and adaptability. This customized approach enables them to successfully overcome obstacles in addition to keeping clients motivated. Her approach is unique in that it rejects the ‘one-size-fits-all’ model and places an emphasis on personalized meal plans that respect cultural and personal preferences. Her expertise has produced life-changing outcomes, including addressing prediabetes and insulin resistance.

The Way Ahead
Dr Sharayu has started to introduce cutting-edge online programs targeted at closing affordability gaps in the field of nutrition and wellness with the goal of making health and nutrition accessible to everyone. These programs emphasize individualized and evidence-based approaches because they acknowledge that many people rely on generalized or untrustworthy sources for dietary guidance. The main goal is to meet each person’s particular needs while prioritizing long-term sustainability over temporary solutions. The programs go beyond simply offering diet charts by including group sessions that prioritize education and awareness. The ability to comprehend their nutritional needs and make wise decisions for their health is given to participants. This method helps avoid potential nutritional deficiencies or health issues that are frequently brought on by fad diets, in addition to addressing immediate health goals like weight loss.

“I want to make my programs affordable and accessible because I am very concerned about the negative consequences of false information and expensive medical treatments. My aim is to raise awareness, encourage balanced living, and enable individuals to put prevention above cure by means of webinars, workshops, and online group consultations”, concludes Dr Sharayu.