PRIM Spotlight: Dietician Disha – Merging Traditional Wisdom with Modern Nutrition Tech

About

In the dynamic landscape of Indian nutrition, where age-old traditions meet contemporary health challenges, Dietician Disha stands out. With over six years of clinical experience and a foundation rooted in Food Technology and Therapeutic Nutrition, Disha has been instrumental in guiding individuals towards healthier lifestyles.

Disha's academic pursuits began with a Master's in Food Technology, followed by a Diploma in Therapeutic Nutrition and a Certificate Course in Ketogenic Therapy. Her five-year tenure in a hospital setting provided her with invaluable clinical insights, which she has since expanded upon in her private practice. Over the past six years, Disha has emphasized the importance of experience in shaping effective nutritional strategies.

"Experience is the best teacher," she often remarks, highlighting the significance of practical knowledge in the field of nutrition.

Nutrition Myths in India

In her practice, Disha frequently encounters prevalent nutritional myths:

Traditional Indian Diets vs Modern Nutrition

Traditional Indian diets are rich in diverse, seasonal, and plant-based foods. They're in harmony with the principles of modern nutrition like fiber-rich meals, healthy fats, and fermented foods. However, modern adaptations have led to more refined carbs and fried foods, which Disha helps clients unlearn and re-balance.

Technology Meets Nutrition: How Software Like Prim Supports Practitioners

To streamline her practice and offer personalized care at scale, Disha integrated PRIM, India's AI-powered nutrition software, into her workflow. This collaboration has transformed her approach to diet planning and client management.

Key Benefits of PRIM in Disha's Practice:

"PRIM lets me focus on what matters most—understanding my client's journey and guiding them, while the backend runs smoothly," Disha notes.

Disha's 3 Golden Rules for Better Health

  1. Eat real food – less from a packet, more from a farm.
  2. Listen to your body – not trends.
  3. Balance over restriction – sustainable habits always win.

Views on Diet Trends like Keto or Intermittent Fasting

Both can be powerful when personalized and monitored. Disha uses Keto therapeutically for conditions like PCOS, diabetes, and weight loss. Intermittent fasting works well too, especially for insulin regulation. But she always ensures clients follow these under proper guidance, not via YouTube trends, because if not done properly with guidance Keto can harm but if done properly its benefits are infinite.

Her Approach vs Others in the Indian Nutrition Space

Disha combines medical nutrition therapy with lifestyle coaching, offers lab-monitored guidance, and focuses on Indian food habits. Her plans are culturally rooted, vegetarian-friendly, and include emotional support – not just numbers and macros.

Top Client Concerns

Disha frequently works with clients who face:

Urban Food Habits and Dining Out

Disha gives clients her contact number where they can discuss their requirements and order accordingly, helping them navigate eating out or ordering food in urban settings.

Managing Diabetes and Hypertension Through Diet

Her approach focuses on:

Biggest Challenges in a Culturally Diverse Country

When creating a personalized nutrition plan for a diverse country like India with varied food cultures, Disha reports no significant challenges as she interacts directly with clients to understand their culture, food habits and timings, and plans accordingly.

Plant-Based Diets: How Vegetarians and Vegans Can Thrive

Indians have the world's largest population of vegetarian people. Disha helps vegetarian and vegan clients meet their nutritional needs through:

Underrated Indian Superfoods She Recommends

Helping Clients with Emotional Eating and Cravings

Once your stomach is filled with healthy food and has consumed moderate Protein and fats as required, your body doesn't crave much, as observed in many Patients/Clients.

Post-Pandemic Health Trends in India

The pandemic brought:

Her Advice to Those Starting a Healthy Lifestyle

"Don't give up what you love – transform it. Switch from fried to sautéed, refined to whole, heavy to light."

The diet Disha provides is completely home-cooked, easy, enjoyable food. The only key is maintaining composition with a filled stomach.

Culturally Rooted, Client-Centric Approach

Disha's methodology emphasizes the fusion of traditional Indian diets with modern nutritional principles. She advocates for real food consumption, listening to one's body, and balanced eating over restriction.

Her plans are tailored to accommodate regional preferences, vegetarian or vegan lifestyles, and individual health conditions, ensuring that clients feel connected to their cultural roots while achieving their health goals.