Leaders

The adage ‘Health is wealth' continues to remain relevant in the 21st century. In today's fast-paced world, many people struggle to maintain their health due to hectic and careless routines. While people deal with health issues, a dietitian plays a crucial role in advising them to lead a healthy lifestyle and supporting their recovery and overall well-being. One such promising Clinical Dietician creating a stir in the health and fitness industry is Prachi Patel. The founder of Craft Wellness, Prachi has completed her master's from the University of Illinois. Ever since then, she has been on a mission to revolutionize the nutrition and dietetics space in India.

In this interview, Prachi shares her experience about pursuing this niche career and gives a few tips for aspiring students in this field.

Can you share a brief overview of your career journey?

I originally started my education in pharmacy and really enjoyed learning about the human anatomy and the intricacies of the body’s interaction with medication. However, I discovered the powerful impact of nutrition when I witnessed my close one fall ill and saw firsthand how food played a pivotal role in not only improving the efficacy of medication and managing its side effects, but also in acting as medicine in itself. This experience inspired me to shift my focus to clinical dietetics, and I pursued a master's degree in dietetics from the University of Illinois.

After working in the U.S. for a few years, I realized there is a significant gap in the field of nutrition and dietetics in India, which motivated me to return and start my own practice in Ahmedabad. Alongside my practice, I'm considering entering academia as well, as I feel that nutrition is the need of the hour and we can do much more in education. My goal is to contribute to the academic field to ensure that we produce well-trained and respected dietitians and nutritionists, especially in a hospital setting.

Would you like to highlight any other important aspects of your life?

Primarily, I deal with cases that require a clinical approach, such as cancer, hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, PCOS, diabetes, and similar conditions. A significant portion of my clientele includes cancer patients who are either undergoing treatment or are in recovery and need support in regaining their health and returning to their normal lives.

I take a holistic approach, focusing on lifestyle modifications rather than just temporary diet plans.

I've been practicing for five years. During this time, I've seen many young girls diagnosed with PCOS and endometriosis at an early age, which sparked my interest in hormonal health. I noticed that not many nutritionists or dietitians focus on this area, so I decided to specialize in it. My expertise now includes managing hormonal imbalances, particularly in young women who want to lead healthier lifestyles or are facing challenges with pregnancy.

What are the core ideas behind the venture and its key areas of expertise?

Craft Wellness is a name we chose to reflect our philosophy: helping people 'craft' their own wellness journey. Our goal is to guide individuals in discovering what works best for their health with a personalized nutrition care, rather than simply providing them with a standard plan. We collaborate with our clients to explore and design personalized strategies, ensuring they understand and improve their lifestyle for long-term benefits. We specialize in working with patients who have conditions like diabetes, thyroid issues, or PCOS, particularly focusing on hormonal health. This focus on clinical dietetics sets us apart in a place like Ahmedabad, where such expertise is not common.

What are some of the challenges you've faced as a dietitian, and how have you overcome them?

One major challenge I have been facing, especially in Ahmedabad, is that the majority of the nutritionists here have entered the profession via short online courses instead of formal college education. Due to this, most hospitals in the city are struggling to find clinical dietitian with skill sets that match the standards set by dietitians worldwide.

To combat this I am currently in talks with a few universities to set up degrees in dietetics and I myself am planning launch a training program purely focused on clinical dietetics through which I will be able to train, place and monitor dietitians in hospitals across Gujarat.

What are some significant professional milestones you've achieved in your career?

While I still have many milestones ahead, I've been involved with several professional societies, such as the All-India Association for Obesity and Metabolism (AIAARO). I'm part of the core committee, where we are developing programs to help people manage obesity and metabolic disorders. I've also presented my research at various conferences, with upcoming presentations scheduled for September and October within and outside of India.

What has been your success mantra throughout your career?

My primary goal has been to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and dietetics, emphasizing holistic health. I believe in preventing illness through proper nutrition rather than relying solely on medication. Educating people about the powerful role food can play in their health has been central to my work. Food is a crucial part of any person’s lifestyle and hence my approach with my clients is always to maintain a healthy relationship with food, which I believe is the biggest mantra to why my clients are able to sustain their transformations even in the long run.

Do you have any advice for aspiring women entre­preneurs?

My advice is to take things one step at a time. It's easy to be overly ambitious, as I was at one point, but I realized that setting smaller, achievable goals helps build confidence and motivation. This approach allows you to steadily work toward your larger objectives without getting overwhelmed.

Prachi Patel, Clinical Dietician, Craft Wellness

Prachi Patel, a Clinical Dietician from Ahmedabad, is revolutionizing the nutrition and diet space in India after earning her master's from the University of Illinois.