by Nishat Chowdhury, Registered Dietitian

With over four years of experience as a dietitian in the NHS, I've witnessed first-hand the severe consequences of poor nutrition and unhealthy lifestyle choices. From strokes to kidney failure and heart attacks, the impact is undeniable. While many are aware of the risk factors and the role diet plays in overall health, there remains a significant gap in understanding how to effectively apply this knowledge in daily life.

 

Over the years, I've been approached by patients, as well as family and friends, asking for help in navigating the sea of dietary myths and misinformation. This recurring theme made me realise that the real issue isn't a lack of information, it's the overwhelming abundance of contradictory and confusing advice.

Most people may not immediately recognise the connection between faith and nutrition, yet the choices we make affect not only our physical well-being but our mental and spiritual health as well.

In addition to this, minority communities are disproportionately affected by lifestyle-related diseases, yet the information available to them is often limited and difficult to access. As my knowledge and experience grew, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to help bridge this gap and provide guidance that resonated with those that needed it the most. Lifestyle-related diseases continue to rise, and far too little is being done to prevent them.

 

My goal became clear - to make accurate, tailored, community-based information more accessible. Through my experiences, I've learned that one-size-fits-all, prescriptive advice rarely instils lasting change. I wanted to find a way to uplift and inspire my target audience - to view maintaining health as an opportunity to thrive rather than seeing it as a burden, and that’s where faith comes in.

 

In today’s fast-paced world, powered by materialism and consumerism, it is essential to reconnect with our spiritual beliefs. Faith teaches us mindfulness, balance, and moderation-principles that are invaluable when making choices about our health. Most people may not immediately recognise the connection between faith and nutrition, yet the choices we make affect not only our physical well-being but our mental and spiritual health as well. Over-indulgence, for example, can increase attachment to worldly desires, heightening greed and diminishing feelings of gratitude and contentment.

I wrote A Recipe for Faith and Wellbeing to share a unique blend of spiritual wisdom, evidence-based nutrition advice, and culturally relevant recipes. 

This book is not just about food; it's about creating lasting change by integrating faith, health, and culture. In this book, I draw from the guidance of the Quran and Hadith, and weave these teachings into practical, evidence-based dietary advice that are both meaningful and easy to implement.

As this book is deeply focused on the idea of community, it would not be complete without considering our broader global communities, particularly those struggling with malnutrition and famine. To contribute to the well-being of those who need it most, a portion of the proceeds from this book will go toward supporting Islamic Relief’s malnutrition projects. These efforts provide much-needed food aid in places like Palestine, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Yemen.

Ultimately, A Recipe for Faith and Wellbeing is my gift to you and to our community - an invitation to nurture our bodies, minds, and spirits. It is my hope that, through this work, we can inspire lasting positive change, both individually and collectively, in the way we approach health, nutrition, and faith.

 

 *A Recipe for Faith and Wellbeing is available to purchase from Ta-Ha Publishers.