My Personal Story!
Making & Breaking the Rules
I was born and raised in a Sindhi Joint family, at our home in Bandra, which is in Mumbai, India. My passion for health and wellness began in 2001 which is when I discovered that I had the Thalassaemic trait, also called Thalassemia Minor. I was spending my summer vacation at Panchgani when I began to feel breathless. Thalassemia is a genetic condition and I got it from my maternal side. We cannot do anything to change the DNA or genetics with which we are born, but often you can do something to improve and control your condition. In my case, I could improve my Hemoglobin levels.
My diagnosis led me to take up nutrition as a career. In those days, very few Science colleges offered a Degree in Nutrition, unlike how it is today. In 2006 I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition. Since then, I have used my knowledge of Food and Nutrition to control and optimize my hemoglobin levels. I can instantly tell if my Vitamin B12 or Hemoglobin levels are falling or are low, which is when I work even harder on my food habits, workouts and of course supplementation through B12 injections.
My own story has been a process of learning, self-discovery, working with a team of experts, and most importantly, tapping into my own intuition to be aware of what is happening with me. This is called Being Mindful.
Moreover, there have been a lot of advances in Science and Clinical studies which have enabled me to have a far better understanding of food, metabolism, and the link between food and lifestyle diseases.
My philosophy on food
I love Sindhi food! And I enjoy eating out with my loved ones – yes, it is possible to be a nutritionist and still eat out! I love being around people, especially in the kitchen where we can create nourishing food and experiences together. I even love to travel and explore the different cultures of the world to learn how food ingredients are used diversely.But the one thing I do not like is the common misconception that healthy food is an expensive affair! Healthy food is not necessarily about exotic food or imported fruit and vegetables. The grass is not always greener on the other side. I am not against exotic food, but I believe that healthy food should be an everyday right and not a privilege. For example ~someone else may enjoy eating imported berries, but that does not mean you cannot get adequate nutrition if you do not eat the same berries.
For me, optimal wellness and happiness is linked to clean eating, healthy relationships, good quality sleep, a satisfying daily purpose, regular exercise and a spiritual practice. For this reason, I believe that people can benefit from learning the right balance and applying their own common sense, so they will never have a day of being dissatisfied with life. They need to learn the relationship between health and food that suits their standard of living. It need not be exotic or trending foods!.
What led me to launch Newtrrients ® and other companies
I founded Newtrrients ® in 2013 to offer Nutrition Consultation services to the local and internet community. Simultaneously, I continued to grow and learn with mentors who helped me improve my practice. I educate clients to reach their own happy place through nutritional upgrades, mindset shifts, movement, meditation and my own personal magi.
I also started Newtrrients ® Restaurant Menu Planning (NRMP), a valuable service for Restaurants and Food Manufacturers who do not have a full-time Nutritionist on board but understand the need to offer healthy food options that can help bring about a change in the way people eat food socially.
l am an Entrepreneur and distinctive voice in the health and advisory industry, having founded two companies: TopOne Foods & Beverages Pvt Ltd to encourage start-up Health Food companies and House of Protein. (For more details on collaboration opportunities, please check my contact us page).!
Sonea’s Credentials
I have studied over 100+ dietary theories, practical lifestyle management techniques, and innovative coaching methods with some of the World’s top health and wellness experts. Here is a list of my credentials:
Sonea has been trained under the guidance of
- Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.
- Dr. Deepak Chopra, leader in the field of mind body medicine.
- Dr. David Katz, Director of Yale Universitys Prevention Research Center.
- Dr. Walter Willett, Chair of Nutrition at Harvard University.
- Geneen Roth, expert on emotional eating
- Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D, Advocate in the field of Functional Medicine. and many other leading researchers and nutrition experts.
- Leveraging on her practical understanding and experience, Sonea will create a personalized roadmap to health for you, that suits your unique metabolism, body type, lifestyle preferences and goals.
OTHER MEMBERSHIPS
- Active member with the Nutrition Society of India.
- Active member with the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.
- Active member of International Health Coaches
- Life Member of the Indian Dietetic Association.