In our modern society where women constantly juggle multiple roles, taking charge of their own health often takes a back seat. However, for some women, their path to empowerment starts with nutrition. Sreemathy Venkatraman uses her expertise as a Clinical Dietitian and Wellness Nutritionist to help women recover their health through personalized nutrition counseling. Through her strong belief about food being both an energy source and therapeutic agent, Sreemathy has become a leader in nutrition while motivating people to live healthier and more satisfying lives.
Her journey is truly inspiring—she evolved from a young student uncertain about her career choices to a skilled nutritionist with more than 25 years of expertise. Sreemathy concentrates on ensuring that nutrition is accessible, tailored, and sustainable. Her journey is about exploration, strength, and the wish to assist others. Being a leader in her domain, she highlights the significance of nutrition for physical health and promotes mental wellness, perceiving food as a crucial foundation for nurturing both.
This women’s day let’s learn how Sreemathy uses nutrition to transform lives and empower women!
The Birth of Mitha Aahara
Sreemathy’s professional journey took a pivotal turn as a Founder of Mitha Aahara- Eat To Live, a wellness brand designed to help individuals achieve lasting health through the power of food. Before starting her own venture, she worked tirelessly as a hospital dietitian and ran a private clinic in Bangalore. But it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that everything changed. As the world adapted to lockdowns and remote work, Sreemathy saw an opportunity to take her practice online. The pandemic forced her to rethink traditional methods of patient care, and that’s when the idea for Mitha Aahara was born. “The pandemic pushed me to innovate,” she says. “I started receiving calls from my clients who had tested positive for COVID-19. They were confused about what to eat and how nutrition could help them recover. The shift to virtual consultations made me realize just how far-reaching the potential for online nutrition consulting could be.”
What started as a small clinic in Bangalore blossomed into a globally recognized service, with Mitha Aahara now serving clients in 11 countries. The core philosophy of Mitha Aahara revolves around healing with food—understanding that each individual is unique and their nutritional needs should be as well. “Food should not feel like a punishment; it should be a source of nourishment, energy, and healing,” she says. With a focus on personalized, sustainable nutrition plans, Mitha Aahara has helped clients transform their health by managing chronic conditions and improving overall well-being. Sreemathy works in the clinical dietetics space as a visiting consultant to hospitals, where her expertise helps to heal patients with therapeutic nutrition
A Personal Journey Rooted in Passion
For Sreemathy, nutrition isn’t just a career—it’s her mission. Her journey into this field began after her 10th board exams, a time when she knew one thing for certain: she didn’t want to continue with math. That realization led her to explore other subjects, and home science, with its focus on biology, caught her attention. “As I continued my studies, I realized how much I was drawn to nutrition. By the time I completed school, I knew without a doubt that this was the field I wanted to pursue,” she recalls.
She pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, followed by a specialized diploma in hospital dietetics that included an internship at CMC Vellore. It was during this internship that she had her first eye-opening experience of how food could be used as a healing tool in a hospital setting. This hands-on experience deepened her commitment to clinical dietetics and set the stage for her decades-long career. “I was fascinated by how food could directly impact recovery, how a properly planned diet could improve a patient’s condition,” she says.
Her commitment to the field only grew as she gained experience and saw firsthand how food could be a transformative force in people’s lives. “Food is not just for survival,” she explains. “It has the power to prevent diseases, heal, and improve the quality of life.”
The Challenges of Building a Global Nutrition Brand
While Mitha Aahara has now become a trusted name, the road to establishing the brand was far from easy. Like any entrepreneur, she faced challenges—particularly when it came to changing people’s misconceptions about nutrition. One of the biggest hurdles she encountered was the belief that nutrition was about handing out generic diet plans. “Nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all solution,” she emphasizes. “It’s deeply personal and should be based on an individual’s lifestyle, culture, genetics, and medical history.” Overcoming this misconception was key to the success of Mitha Aahara.
Shifting her practice to online consultations presented its own set of challenges. Many clients initially doubted the effectiveness of virtual consultations, believing that nutrition advice had to be given face-to-face to be effective. “It took some time for people to trust the online model, but once they saw the convenience, the ability to reach clients across the globe, and the personalized attention they received, it became clear that this was the future,” she recalls. Today, even local clients prefer online consultations for their flexibility and ease.
Another challenge was the fast-paced, results-driven culture that many people associate with dieting. Clients often sought quick fixes, but Sreemathy knew that sustainable health couldn’t be achieved overnight. “I tell my clients that good health is a journey, not a destination,” she says. To keep clients motivated, she incorporated technology, meal tracking, feedback sessions, and educational support into the process. By ensuring constant follow-ups and offering guidance along the way, she was able to help clients stay committed to long-term success.
A Personalized Approach
The core philosophy behind Mitha Aahara is simple but most important: healing with food. This belief aligns with India’s ancient traditions, where food was viewed not just as sustenance but as a tool for overall wellness. “Our ancestors knew the importance of seasonal eating and balanced diets, long before modern science confirmed their benefits,” says Sreemathy. Her approach merges these time-tested principles with evidence-based nutrition, emphasizing personalized care for each individual.
She understands that no two people are alike, which is why each nutrition plan at Mitha Aahara is customized to fit the unique needs of the client. Whether it’s managing a chronic condition like diabetes or supporting a woman through hormonal changes, the focus is always on creating a plan that suits the individual’s lifestyle and goals. “Food is not just about weight loss—it’s about overall well-being,” she explains.
A significant part of her philosophy is debunking myths surrounding dieting. She often tells clients, “A diet should not feel like a punishment. It should be something you can sustain and enjoy.” The idea is to make small, sustainable changes that fit seamlessly into the person’s life, rather than extreme measures that are difficult to maintain. Her approach is rooted in making nutrition enjoyable, not restrictive.
The Vital Role of Nutrition in Women’s Health
Nutrition plays a crucial role in women’s overall health, particularly when it comes to managing the changes and challenges women face throughout different stages of life. From puberty to pregnancy and menopause, women’s nutritional needs vary greatly. “Nutrition impacts hormonal balance, fertility, and mental health—each phase of a woman’s life requires a tailored approach,” says Sreemathy.
In India, many women face unique health challenges, including anemia, PCOS, and metabolic issues, which are closely tied to diet. “Anemia is a major concern here—India has one of the highest rates of iron deficiency among women,” she says. Many women also struggle with weight gain, infertility, or hormonal imbalances, all of which can be managed and alleviated with the right nutrition. Through her work, she helps women understand that good nutrition is about more than just maintaining weight—it’s about nourishing the body to support its many complex functions.
“Self-care is not selfish,” Sreemathy says, encouraging women to take charge of their health. “When you prioritize your health, you become stronger, more resilient, and more capable of handling everything life throws your way.”
Transformative Stories of Women’s Health
Over the years, Sreemathy has worked with countless women whose lives have been positively impacted by her nutrition guidance. One particularly moving story involves a woman who struggled with severe PCOS. For years, she faced irregular cycles, weight gain, and difficulty conceiving. Despite being on medication, she didn’t see much improvement. But after working with Sreemathy, she followed a personalized nutrition plan that focused on balancing hormones and improving insulin sensitivity. Within months, her cycle normalized, and she eventually conceived naturally. “Her story is a powerful reminder of how nutrition can bring about real, life-changing results,” she says.
Another inspiring story is of a college student who had developed a negative relationship with food due to extreme dieting. After suffering from severe nutritional deficiencies, she sought Sreemathy’s help. With careful guidance, she helped her rebuild a healthier metabolism, reintroduce balanced meals, and repair her relationship with food. Over time, she regained both her health and her confidence. “These transformations are what keep me going,” she shares. “They remind me every day of the power of personalized nutrition.”
Innovative Approaches to Nutrition
As technology continues to evolve, Sreemathy is constantly looking for ways to incorporate new tools and resources into her practice. One such innovation is the use of AI-driven tools to enhance consultations. Mitha Aahara uses AI-powered meal trackers to monitor client progress and provide real-time feedback. This allows her to make timely adjustments to the nutrition plans and keep clients on track. “Technology is an enabler, but the human touch is irreplaceable,” she says. “The key is to blend science with empathy to create truly transformative experiences for clients.”
The Future of Nutrition in India
Looking toward the future, Sreemathy believes that nutrition practices in India will shift toward a more holistic and preventive approach. “The days of fad diets and quick fixes are behind us,” she says confidently. “People are starting to realize that lasting health comes from consistent, balanced nutrition.” She is excited about the resurgence of interest in traditional Indian diets, as more people embrace whole, seasonal foods. “There’s a growing interest in plant-based diets, fermented foods, and gut health,” she says. “All of these trends are in line with what our ancestors practiced, and modern science is validating their benefits.”
With advancements in nutrigenomics, and the ability to tailor diets based on an individual’s genetic makeup, Sreemathy is excited about the future of personalized nutrition. “The potential for individualized nutrition is immense. We are moving toward a future where diet plans will be more personalized and data-driven than ever before,” she notes.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Nutritionists
For aspiring nutritionists, her advice is both practical and motivational. “Keep learning, stay curious, and never stop challenging the status quo,” she urges. “Nutrition is an evolving field, and it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest research.” She also emphasizes the importance of counseling skills, saying that a nutritionist’s role is not just to prescribe meal plans but to listen and understand the client’s unique needs. “A dietitian’s job is to help clients build a healthier relationship with food,” she adds.
In a field where misinformation can spread easily, she stresses the importance of integrity. “Always rely on evidence-based practices. The health of your clients is in your hands, and you must prioritize their well-being above everything else,” she says.
A Final Thought on Women’s Health
As we celebrate Women’s Day, Sreemathy reminds women everywhere that their health is their greatest asset. “You cannot pour from an empty cup,” she says. “Taking care of yourself isn’t just important for you—it’s important for everyone around you.” Self-care, according to her, isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. When women take charge of their health, they not only empower themselves but also those around them. By nourishing their bodies and minds, women can step into their full power, leading the way for future generations.
Her work at Mitha Aahara is a testament to her belief that good nutrition is the key to lasting health and well-being. Through her passion, dedication, and expertise, she is helping women all over the world embrace their health, leading to more vibrant, empowered, and healthier lives.
