As life is the sum of your style choices, a healthy and fit body is the sum of your food choices, believes Dr Anumiita Pathakk, a Nutritionist by profession, passion, and a Healing Consultant by calling. “Let me give you a small example. Suppose we want to improve oxygen levels in our body, then the first question we must ask ourselves is, why does the oxygen level in our body decrease? The reasons are: no exercise, anemia, high altitude, poor diet, bad habits, and wrong postures.”
Now, how to improve your oxygen SpO2 levels. By doing Pranayam (a Yogic exercise), exercising, planting around the place where you live, and decluttering your house. Another way is to include food with high SpO2 levels in your diet. These include all spices, herbs: basil leaves, oregano, coriander, and mint, cutting out salt, detox water, and increasing water intake.
“And having foods which are rich in oxygen and help us to improve our oxygen levels naturally. They include spinach, broccoli, alfalfa sprouts, avocado, beetroot, watermelon, kiwis, citrus fruits, microgreens, and spirulina.”
Nutrition—A True Calling
When she looks back at her journey, Dr Anumitta’s inner calling led her toward nutrition. “I chose to become a nutritionist because nutrition is the true essence where science meets life.’ It integrates the fundamentals of nutrition, biochemistry, and the etiology of disease, allowing her to understand not just what happens in the body, but why it happens. This depth makes nutrition the most honest and comprehensive expression of science—applied every single day through food.
For Dr Anumiita, nutrition is also an act of creativity. Everyone is a unique biochemical universe, and food becomes the language through which balance can be restored. Designing nourishment is not mechanical—it requires insight, intuition, and scientific precision working together.
Food—The Profoundest Health Medium
Shs adds that she is a healer by nature, and believes that food is the most profound medium to reach the inner core of a person. Food does more than sustain the body; it influences cellular repair, hormonal harmony, mental clarity, emotional resilience, and even one’s relationship with self. When used with understanding, food becomes gentle yet powerful medicine.
This was not a decision born of chance. During her postgraduate studies, Dr Anumiita clearly envisioned herself as a nutritionist—guiding, healing, and restoring through knowledge. “That vision felt less like a career choice and more like a higher calling, one that aligned my scientific training with my purpose to heal,” she reveals.
In choosing nutrition, she chose a path where evidence-based science, compassion, and creativity converge—allowing her to serve health not as an intervention, but as a way of life.
An Ever-Evolving Role
As a nutritionist and counsellor, Dr Anumiita sees her role evolving from creating diet plans to transforming lifestyles. As lifestyles continue to evolve, she says that reduced time spent on food preparation and increased reliance on convenience foods have contributed to a growing burden of lifestyle-related disorders, thereby shifting greater time, effort, and financial resources toward healthcare. This trend underscores a critical scientific reality: diet in isolation cannot ensure health. Optimal nutrition must be integrated with comprehensive lifestyle modifications.
From a physiological and metabolic standpoint, diet and lifestyle are biologically interdependent. Nutrient utilization, hormonal regulation, insulin sensitivity, inflammatory pathways, gut microbiota balance, and circadian rhythms are all profoundly influenced by physical activity, sleep quality, stress levels, and daily routines. Therefore, sustainable health outcomes require simultaneous attention to both dietary quality and lifestyle behaviour.
In this framework, lifestyle modification functions as the ‘queen’ and diet as the ‘king.’ When both operate in coordination—guided by scientific understanding and behavioural consistency—they enable an individual to successfully navigate the complex ‘chessboard’ of health. It is this synergy that determines long-term metabolic stability, disease prevention, and overall physiological resilience.
A Principled Approach
In managing conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and weight-related concerns, Dr Anumiita’s approach is guided by principles of metabolic balance, hormonal regulation, and long-term behavioural sustainability, rather than short-term symptom control. She begins by understanding the underlying etiology—including insulin resistance, chronic low-grade inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, gut health, and stress physiology—rather than focusing solely on weight reduction. Nutrition plans are therefore biochemically individualized, designed to improve insulin sensitivity, support ovarian and adrenal function, stabilize blood glucose, and reduce inflammatory load.
Equally important is lifestyle intervention, she insists. Evidence clearly demonstrates that sleep quality, circadian rhythm alignment, physical activity, and stress modulation significantly influence endocrine function and weight homeostasis. Hence, lifestyle modification forms the foundation of every wellness plan, with nutrition acting as a critical but integrated component.
Sustainability is ensured through behavioural counselling and gradual habit formation. Instead of restrictive diets, Dr Anumiita emphasizes nutrient density, meal timing, mindful eating, and realistic routines that can be maintained within daily life. Continuous education empowers individuals to understand their bodies, fostering adherence and autonomy rather than dependence.
Ultimately, her goal is to create personalized wellness journeys that restore metabolic flexibility, support hormonal harmony, and promote lasting health outcomes—transforming management of PCOS and weight concerns into a process of long-term physiological resilience and self-care.
Women—the Born Leaders
As a woman guiding change in today’s healthcare ecosystem, leadership is not limited to the healthcare sector alone. In every sphere of society—economic, educational, social, and cultural—women are leaders, because they form the pivot point of the family, the society, and ultimately the nation. Women naturally influence values, behaviours, and decisions that shape generations.
As primary nurturers, educators, and change-makers, women hold a unique position where their leadership extends beyond titles and institutions. Their ability to balance responsibility, empathy, resilience, and vision allows them to drive sustainable progress at both micro and macro levels.
When women lead—whether in healthcare or any other sector—they do not lead in isolation; they uplift families, strengthen communities, and build healthier, more resilient nations. Empowering women as leaders is therefore not a choice, but a necessity for holistic and inclusive development, she insists.
Obstacles as Stepping Stones
Every impactful career faces resistance. Some challenges tested Dr Anumiita’s resolve the most in building credibility and trust. Her journey was not easy, and she faced multiple challenges along the way. At times, financial constraints tested her persistence. At other times, societal perceptions—such as the belief that since her husband was earning well, she did not need to pursue her own career—challenged her sense of purpose. “I also encountered language barriers that initially limited me.”
However, when she looks back today, she no longer sees these experiences as obstacles. They became stepping stones that strengthened her resilience, sharpened her perspective, and deepened her commitment. “Each challenge pushed me forward, shaping not only my professional credibility but also my personal growth. What once tested my resolve ultimately defined my strength,” smiles Dr Anumiita.
A Progressive and Evidence-based Practice
In a field driven by trends and misinformation, Dr Anumiita ensures her practice stays both progressive and evidence-based. She consistently relies on evidence-based scientific research and shares this information transparently with her clients. “I believe that when individuals understand the scientific rationale behind recommendations, their trust and adherence improve significantly.” In her experience, effective counselling enhances outcomes, as it empowers clients to make informed, sustainable decisions rather than follow instructions blindly.
Personally Satisfying Milestones
Reaffirming that her work is truly making a difference, one of the most impactful milestones in Dr Anumiita’s journey was a session she conducted for an NGO working with underprivileged mothers and children. She led an educational session on practical, affordable nutrition tailored to their daily realities. Over time, observing visible improvements in their health, energy levels, and overall well-being was deeply affirming.
‘That experience became a defining moment for me—it reinforced the belief that evidence-based nutrition and counselling can create meaningful change even in resource-limited settings.’ Seeing knowledge translate into real health outcomes was the point where she truly knew her work was making a difference.
A Gems-Studded Crown of Literary Achievements
Dr Anumiita has authored numerous articles and published research papers focusing on women’s health, with special emphasis on menopause and holistic well-being.
Her acclaimed Hindi work “रजोनिवृत्ति और उससे संबंधित सभी जानकारी” provides comprehensive, evidence-based guidance on menopause and its associated health concerns.
She is also the author of the book “50 Foods for 50 Plus”, which highlights the role of nutrition in healthy ageing and preventive healthcare, empowering individuals to lead active and balanced lives beyond midlife
Discipline is the Key to Work-Life Balance
With a demanding professional life, Dr Anumiita must consciously nurture her own health and emotional balance. “For me, discipline is the key to maintaining health and emotional balance.” She dedicates time to connect with her daughter over calls, practice meditation, and yoga, and ensure she engages only in work that she genuinely enjoys. “If it does not bring me joy, I choose not to do it. Equally, the love and respect I receive from my clients keeps me motivated and reinforces my commitment.” This combination of structured self-care, mindful practices, and meaningful work keeps her centered, energized, and resilient.
A Genuine Advice
To young nutritionists and women professionals aspiring to lead with purpose in healthcare, Dr Anumiita suggests: stay curious, grounded, work with patience, and always lead with empathy. Master your knowledge, listen deeply, and connect genuinely with the people you serve.
Avoid shortcuts and gimmicks—credibility and trust are earned through consistent, evidence-based work. Embrace challenges as stepping stones, prioritize your personal growth, and focus on creating meaningful, lasting impact rather than seeking recognition.
Inspired to Heal the People at Large with Perfect Nutrition
As we entered the new year 2026, Dr Anumiita is inspired to scale her impact in preventive and lifestyle healthcare by reaching more individuals with evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle guidance, especially those in underserved communities. She plans to expand her work through educational programs, workshops, digital platforms, and by creating literature for all age groups. Her upcoming book, ‘Fifty Foods for Fifty Plus,’ along with literature for children, aims to provide practical, science-backed guidance to improve health outcomes across generations.
With India facing growing health challenges, such as obesity, diabetes, PCOS, and hypertension, Dr Anumiita wants to empower people to make informed choices, create sustainable wellness habits, and inspire long-term preventive strategies. Additionally, she aspires to mentor young nutritionists and women professionals, fostering a new generation of leaders who value science, empathy, and holistic health. “My goal is to create a ripple effect, strengthening communities and improving public health nationwide,” she concludes.
You can further check out Dr Anumiita Pathakk at her social media links:
~Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17uUfXSnCX/.
~Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anumiita_pathakk?igsh=aDNnNnZzMmRiMDYy.
~LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anumiita-pathakk-b3246b8a/.