Meet Swetha Ashok, born in Chennai, brought up in different parts of the world and a Mumbaikar at heart. She comes from a background of biochemistry and microbiology with a certification in nutrition from Tulip International – Home. After working as a pathologist, she moved on to a research field studying nutritional value in dehydrated ingredients at Science for Society in collaboration with Institute of Chemical Technology. Post this tenure, she became interested in the coaching others and started working at a nutrition company and with other nutritionists to learn from the best and eventually in 2019 set up a successful venture ‘The GutGuru’.
What is unique about your business and whom does your business cater to?
At ‘The Gutguru’, we believe not only is working on the food aspect but also correcting lifestyle patterns and bringing the mind and body closer. We work on a range of concerns from weight management, gut health concerns like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), diseases and disorders (thyroid, PCOD, diabetes, etc) and majorly we are now also working on Burnout Recovery to help manage stress, anxiety and depression via food and lifestyle changes.
My clients range is from toddlers to geriatrics (elderly age group) but the major age group is 25-45 year olds (and also the working professionals). I help people build better relationships with food and help them bridge the gap between the journey and the results. I believe that the body and mind are connected and we cannot sustain without having to fix both together.
An important lesson I have learned as one with many roles is balancing out things play a great role in how well you maintain your sanity and still care for your loved ones.
How was your journey to becoming a nutritionist?
The whole idea came from wanting to help spread awareness of the right approach towards a healthy lifestyle. With so much wrong information, weight loss scams, fad diets and the food industry’s way of marketing things, people are falling for gimmicks and quick fixes. It is important that we help people understand the severity of these gimmicks.
My second inspiration stems from my own struggles of asthma, digestive issues, skinny teenage years, weight gain after marriage, stress, anxiety and much more. I believe in following what I preach and the strength to stay true to my path not only comes from my family, friends, clients and my husband but also my own internal validation.
I wish to inspire people to do right by their body, mind and soul and to work on their health and lifestyle in a sustainable way.
How did your STEM degree help in establishing the business?
Biochemistry requires us to learn the physical and biochemical functions of the body to help us understand the hormones, metabolism, food digestion, and much more along with microbiology which helps us understand the bacteria and microlevel functions happening in our gut. These two along with my nutrition course helps me understand and plan for the physical and mental aspect of our overall lifestyle.
When it comes to healthy living no one subject plays a role in helping the client but a combination of many things is what helps me to help my clients grow and flourish when it comes to their lifestyle.
What are the challenges in your business?
Fad diets and marketing gimmicks are always going to be a part of this field but at the end of the day it is about the expertise we bring to the table. With all the quick fixes out there, it is a challenge to get people to understand and practice a sustainable lifestyle, but believing in the greater good is what drives me to stay true to my path.
Yes, there is an excess of information out there, however what I have seen is if just information was all we need then why are we the rising nation in Diabetes or obesity? I honestly don’t believe in competition. I think each of us are gifted in different ways and we must support each other to rise and grow in the respective industries.
What is your ‘vision and mission’ and how do you define success for your venture?
Success for me is defined when the client is able to maintain and retain the good mindset we created together. Over the last couple of years, I have had a decent success rate of about 63%. When dealing with clients, I try to understand where they are coming from, what is their general knowledge about nutrition and food, and then explain to them how and why it’s important to accept a holistic way of living. Support, empathy, right information and setting appropriate habits for each client is what makes the difference. Besides your required certifications/degrees – I would say the most important skills are – communication, patience, empathy and a great listener.
How is this field growing in India compared to western world?
The field of nutrition and dietetics is growing in demand and popularity globally, including in India and the Western world. However, the growth and demand in India versus the Western world may differ due to various factors.
In India, there is an increasing awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle, as well as a growing prevalence of diet-related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. As a result, there is a growing demand for nutritionists and dieticians who can provide expert advice and guidance on healthy eating habits and disease prevention. Additionally, the government of India has launched several initiatives and campaigns aimed at promoting healthy eating and nutrition, which has further increased the demand for nutritionists and dieticians.
On the other hand, in the Western world, the demand for nutritionists and dieticians has been growing steadily due to a combination of factors, including an ageing population, a growing interest in healthy eating and weight loss, and an increasing focus on preventive healthcare. In developed countries, the demand for nutritionists and dieticians is also driven by the increasing incidence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Overall, the growth and demand for nutritionists and dieticians are likely to continue to increase in both India and the Western world, driven by factors such as changing lifestyles, increasing awareness of the importance of nutrition and preventive healthcare, and the growing incidence of chronic diseases. However, the specific drivers and trends may differ between India and the Western world.
What is Your Mantra that you would like to share with others?
My mantra revolves around chasing consistency and not perfection and making one small change a day to become the better version of ourselves.
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