Dietitian Swati Bathwal says it about fixing people, not just their health problems

Swati Bathwal

Public Health expert Swati Bathwal wants people to live a healthier life by making healthier choices, not taking medicines.

It wasn't an easy decision for Swati Bathwal to quit her medical course to pursue bachelors in home science and nutrition. She had got through the national entrance examination of medical, often seen as one of best career moves to become a doctor. But, that wasn't what Bathwal wanted. The Scindia School alumni knew that she could impact more lives in a positive and a healthy way - which just being a doctor wouldn't allow her to do. "The problem is not with doctors or medicines. The problem is with the way people lead their lives. Most of them have to go to a doctor because over years they have damaged the constitution of their body," says 37- year-old.

"I love to meet my patients," she says. "I like to speak to them, understand them, and educate them about healthier choices in their lives. It's not just writing a prescription."

Pat comes an example of patients who come to her to lose weight. She says that obesity happens due to multiple reasons, which include hormonal imbalance, lack of sleep, bad eating habits. "My idea is to fix the root cause of your problem, it is about fixing the body's constitution."

The problem is not just with obesity, but also for people suffering from high cholesterol, hypo or hyper thyroid, diabetes or even serious ailments like cancer. Many ailments, Bathwal says, can either be cured or controlled by making lifestyle changes, primarily with people's eating habits. "If your farmer's market and your kitchen cabinet can resolve your health issues, why do you need to run to a pharmacist," she asks.

"It's like your genes load the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger," says Bathwal. However she remains cautious. "But all these solutions need to be supported by evidence-based medicine," she says.

Her approach is scientific and research-based - mostly because of her educational background. After completing her bachelor's in India, she moved to Australia for her master's in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Sydney. She also did a sports dietician course from Australian Institute of Sports, and a post graduate management in diabetes. She has also trained over 15 provisional dieticians to gain full accreditation through Dietitian Association of Australia.

She emphasizes that one should not follow the herd. Decisions related to health - like turning into vegan or going for an intermittent fasting should be an aware and educated decision. "You can be a vegan, but you might be eating junk vegan food. That does not help. It is more about having a plant-based diet," says Bathwal.

Over years, Bathwal has worked with many prestigious organizations, and trained under people like endocrinologist Dr. David Carey. Her experience ranges from cancer care to autoimmune disorders and from diabetes education to sports performance nutrition.