Writes Chase C. (L6th)
The Lower Sixth were delighted to welcome Summra Nasir in to share her knowledge and wisdom with us all. Summra has dedicated her life to nutrition; she was originally trained as a dietitian and has gone on to achieve a BSc (Hons) in Human Nutrition and Health. Summra has committed herself to helping those in less fortunate backgrounds and those most vulnerable to Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity.
Summra offered us a refreshing and realistic perspective on what a “healthy lifestyle” truly means. Summra debunked the idea that healthy eating involves a rigid and joyless diet that one must follow strictly. Instead, she emphasised a balanced lifestyle is one that is sustainable and reasonable. She taught us the power of creating a positive relationship with food, one of enjoyment rather than fear. Obeying a restrictive diet completely violates this. We discovered that fastidious diets are implausible to maintain in the long term and inevitably prove meretricious.
We were educated on merit of a well-balanced diet and particularly how what we eat influences everything we do from our mood, physical health and cognitive function. Summra also addressed the common fear surrounding carbohydrates, teaching they are crucial for effective brain function and shouldn’t be demonised. We were encouraged to consider why we eat, to avoid the consequences of mindlessly eating innutritious foods, and to appreciate that different diets benefit different individuals and lifestyles.
Beyond food, Summra mentioned the importance of hydration, something often overlooked despite being just as crucial as nutrition itself. She introduced alternatives to carbonated and energy drinks, explaining how these cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels that leave us feeling lethargic. We also learnt that drinks such as coffee, when drunk in moderation, can in fact have health benefits, contrary to misconceptions many of us previously held.
We all took a lot away from Summra, and we left feeling informed and inspired to eat healthily. She introduced ideas that challenged assumptions and gave us practical guidance we can incorporate into our lives moving forward. We are all incredibly grateful for the time she spent with us and the positive mindset towards healthy living that she helped us adopt.
