Easy living is a blog series featuring interviews with amazing nutrition and wellness experts who love what they do and inspire others to be better every day.
Meet inspirational Devika Sharma, RDN, an advocate of 80/20 healthy eating rule and author of www.onemorebite.ca. Her light attitude towards nutrition and a great sense of humor behind every Instagram post quickly attracted me to her account and eventually turned into this interview. And voila, it came out amazingly! Devika’s answers are honestly genuine, filled with light, and knowledge. I must say that all of them deeply resonates with my heart! I hope you will find lots of inspiration in this interview!
If you had to define all that you do in a title, what would you say?
Medical Nutrition Therapy
What do you enjoy the most in your profession?
Interacting with various people where I get to share my knowledge knowing that it can have an impact on someone’s health and lifestyle.
What is your advice on keeping a life/work balance?
Be present in whatever you are doing (e.g. eating, working, socializing, family time) and always make time for yourself. Making time for myself prevents me from burning out and feeling overwhelmed.
How would you describe your philosophy on being fit and healthy?
‘Healthy’ is the relationship between you and your mind, body and soul – proper nutrition and physical activity fuels all three components. When you learn to make that connection, you reach this level of ‘healthy.’
‘Healthy’ is the relationship between you and your mind, body and soul – proper nutrition and physical activity fuels all three components.
How did your healthy lifestyle journey begin?
I have always been one to be physically active and interested in nutrition. While completing my first degree in biology, I happened to take some nutrition courses and never looked back.
What does your morning routine look like? (if you have one) If not, what’s your favorite way to start a day?
I usually start my day off with a cup of coffee and a peanut butter containing meal (e.g. overnight oats, yogurt parfait, whole grain bagel). I thoroughly enjoy my breakfast while I respond to emails and direct messages/comments.
What is your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Eat popcorn while watching either Grey’s Anatomy or Law & Order: SVU.
What makes you laugh, smile, and be joyful?
My nieces and nephews manage to accomplish all three. It’s amazing how energetic and cheerful they are – especially after baking some cookies.
You are a healthy diet & lifestyle mentor for many people. Who or what gives you the most inspiration?
My sister has faced many health and nutrition-related challenges associated with her autoimmune disorder. Trying to help her overcome such challenges ultimately motivated me to want to help other individuals too.
Trying to help her overcome such challenges ultimately motivated me to want to help other individuals too
What, in your opinion, are the main characteristics of a healthy diet for an average person? What your advice would be for someone who increases their physical activity level?
My philosophy is 80/20 when it goes to a healthy diet. A healthy diet to me consists of balanced meals comprised of various nutrients and enjoyable foods. Eating well and staying hydrated is important for the body to function optimally – especially when engaging in physical activity.
Eating well and staying hydrated is important for the body to function optimally – especially when engaging in physical activity.
What is your advice on how to keep a balance between eating clean, living healthy and staying away from developing orthorexia?
Nutrition should not be complicated – there are no food rules thus foods or eating patterns shouldn’t be classified as “clean.” It’s important to keep that mind-body connection to avoid stressing over food. The goal is to fuel the body.
It’s important to keep that mind-body connection to avoid stressing over food. The goal is to fuel the body.
What is your opinion on detoxes and cleanses?
I’m not a fan of either. Our body has essential organs (the liver and the kidney) that are responsible for these processes. I can appreciate that everyone’s bodies function differently and may require other means to help promote toxin removal (e.g. end-stage renal disease requires dialysis to help clear the body of toxins). I do support choosing foods that are wholesome and contain minimal ingredients/preservatives to help the body function optimally.
Being a trained and licensed dietitian what are your thoughts on some social media “wellness experts” without a license? How do you think it impacts the well-being of people following?
Nutrition is always evolving, and it’s important to be aware of the information that is surfacing. I think that social media is a useful tool to access nutrition information (e.g. cookbooks, recipes) and to connect with various people; however, as a dietitian who takes an evidence-based approach to nutrition, I’ve seen a lot of unhealthy nutrition patterns/trends, diets and products promoted. Unfortunately, many of them can lead to harm (i.e. nutrient deficiencies, foster unhealthy relationships with food). Credentials are important to ensure the proper training has been completed to prevent mistreatment.
Credentials are important to ensure the proper training has been completed to prevent mistreatment.
What’s your favorite quote or mantra you can’t live without?
Trust the process.
Name a few of your favorite restaurants, cafes, or coffee shops in your city?
Favorite restaurants: Cactus Club, Meet on Main,
Coffee shops/Cafe: Starbucks, 49th Parallel Café
What is your most popular recipe? Maybe your favorite?
Popular: My PB & Chocolate Protein Waffles!
My Favourite: The same as my most popular, and my PB & Chocolate Chia Energy Balls (the recipe is coming)
So where can everyone keep up with you to learn more?
Facebook: @onemorebite.dietitian
YouTube Channel: One More Bite Nutrition
Webpage: www.onemorebite.ca
xx,
Zhenya