Tell us about yourself?
My name is Aymen Subhani, also known as Living Well with Aymen. I am a Dietitian and a Nutritionist and I provide my services online via my Instagram account where I have more than 48 thousand followers. I have dealt with many clients online and have seen tremendous results. My IG handle is @livingwellwithaymen. I have been featured in Fuchsia Magazine, Tribune Edit Magazine, Paperazzi Magazine and Mashion.pk IGTV
What is a nutritionist’s role? Are you involved in any other initiatives?
Nutritionist and a Dietitian make diet plans, teach about portion control, does public nutrition service, community service, nutrition seminars, clinical services, sports nutrition, pediatrics nutrition and deal with disease specific patients to treat them by introducing basic lifestyle and dietary modifications.
These are some out of many other roles.
- Yes, I am a media advisor, from my university, for the Pakistan’s Nutrition and Dietitian Society.
- I am affiliated with MARHAM organization, have a verified profile over there and deal with clients online.
- Member of P.S.F.S.T (Pakistan Society of Food Scientists and Technologists)
- I help other Dietitians, who ask for it as much as I can.
Do you think nutrition is linked to other aspects of life? How does it all come together?
Good nutrition is so important if you want to have a healthy body and healthy mind. Healthy lifestyle practices, mindful eating, portion-controlled meal plans and including all food groups in your diet will not only ensure the proper functioning of all the body parts, but it will also protect the body from any chronic diseases like heart disease or cancer.
It is so important to understand nutrition. By just making a few changes in our habits, we’ll be able to achieve that goal. Ramadan is a great time to make those healthy lifestyle changes. It detoxifies your body as we practice fast all month.
- Eat mindfully; that is to stop eating when full.
- Stay hydrated.
- Include protein in your diet.
- Physical activity 4-5 times a week.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables, in the end what you eat will impact on your body for example too spicy, oily foods and less intake of water may lead to breakout of the skin. (i.e. acne)
So, to sum up, everything you eat, has an effect on your body and impacts your life.
What is it like being a successful female in this space?
Well, obviously there are many challenges, but what’s the fun if it’s all too easy? It feels good. I like being recognized as I put so much work and I want to create a name for myself and my field. Because I feel there’s so much more to Nutrition than people in our country see. There’s very little awareness and going to a Dietitian for recommendations is considered unnecessary and wastage of money.
I want to bring a positive change in the community and break the stereotypes of how only abs or being skinny is cool and it makes you kind of an expert in Nutrition and fitness, no. Only education, experience and credentials make you a Nutrition expert. So, instead of listening to an influencer with zero nutrition education background, consult a professional.
Who and what gives you the most inspiration?
I have so many powerful figures in my family be that my cousins or my Grandparents, who are hardworking, achievers, empathetic, kind and admirable. So, it’s only fair that I am all these things too. They push me to be a better version of myself and I love them all.
Amongst celebrities, Oprah Winfrey, J.K Rowling, Paulo Coelho, Robert Downey Jr., Chrissy Teigen, Jameela Jamil, and a few others are pretty inspirational.
What is one of the wackiest nutrition myths you have heard of?
Skipping carbs or going keto lead to weight loss.
The only thing that leads to weight loss is being in a calorie deficit and physical activity. You can eat everything and still lose weight.
What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about dietitians?
I will enlist some
- Dietitians are only skinny
- Dietitians and Nutritionist are the same
- Dietitians know only about weight gain or weight loss
- Dietitians never eat junk food
- Dietitians can be judgmental to your weight
If you could change one thing about Pakistan’s nutrition/fitness related habits, what would you change?
I would create nutrition awareness and break the norms of how influencers call themselves nutrition expert. Please consult a Dietitian if you have diet related problems. Just like you won’t go to a cook if you have pain in your heart, similarly don’t go for nutrition advices to a celebrity with no Nutrition education.
I would like to tell everyone that fat burners and fat burning creams are the not the solution to weight loss. Do not look for short cuts!
We follow unhealthy habits and have adopted a poor eating lifestyle i.e. less consumption of fruits and vegetables, very high caloric fat diet with 89% carbohydrates sources in our meal.
What is next for you?
I am currently working on a nutrition podcast that I have launched and will upload episodes on it soon. I will be hosting many Dietitians and Nutritionists on my podcast. It’s called Nutrition Podcast by Aymen Subhani.
I may host seminars and nutrition camps to create Nutrition awareness.
For all the newbies out there wanting to be fit but not knowing where to start, what is your recommended starting line?
Include fruits and vegetables in your diet and hire a Dietitian and a Nutritionist for professional help.
Verify the sources where you are getting your information from. It can be confusing.
