Last year Farah Alexis Barakat, current Masters student of Research in Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders at the University of Roehampton, London, was scrolling through her camera photos when she came across an old group picture from her undergraduate days. Remembering the students’ fondness for alliteration Farah recalled the team’s moniker, “The Nutty Nutritionists” and decided that this was the sign she was looking for on what to name her burgeoning business. “There’s no reason for you not to combine science and creativity; If anything, it makes it more fun,” says Farah, and thus, “The Nutty Nutritionist” was born on Instagram; the first account in Kuwait dedicated to evidence-based PCOS nutrition posts in Arabic and English.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), described by mayoclinic.org as, “A hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age,” affects one in 10 women. Farah herself was diagnosed with it as a young woman, and placed immediately on birth control to regulate her hormones; these pills instead produced myriad other unfortunate symptoms. “I’m so passionate about medical nutrition therapy, and the fact that I can prevent people from maybe going down the same [treatment] route that I went through,” Farah continues, “because nutrition and mental health go hand in hand.”
Globally, and particularly prominent in Kuwait, a dietitian or nutritionist is seen as merely a conduit to losing or gaining weight. But Farah stresses that weight loss and gain weren’t the major focus of the curriculum when she was studying, and she preferred the wellness aspect of nutrition. “The most beautiful part of my studies, and the reason I loved nutrition in the first place was medical nutrition therapy.” This is very much like putting the right type of fuel into your car to make the engine run better, and the right nutrition for your body can be seen as preventative healthcare. “You can find a link to almost any disease that tracks back to nutrition. It’s beautiful and fascinating and amazing, which is why it’s unfortunate that some [consultants] take the easy route of handing out template, fad diets which aren’t sustainable. Short-term weight loss, sells.”
The Nutty Nutritionist explains that clients can expect to undergo an initial consultation and then depending on the package chosen have one or two follow-ups, weekly or fortnightly, stressing that while some don’t need this much attention, some clients really do. “I like to make people feel heard because I feel like maybe within the past, with my own struggles, I didn’t feel like I was necessarily being heard. I look at my clients with PCOS as more than just the person talking in front of me complaining about food right now. I’m looking at, how are they feeling mentally? How are they doing physically? Are they [regular]?”
Farah then delves into the importance of regulating menstruation and the importance of talking about menses, but she still apologizes for the topic, and this is the pro-communication, cards-on-the-table nutritionist; it seems all people can be slightly awkward when it comes to the body. But, Farah really is there for her clients, encouraging open dialogue and transparency. “I’m your coach. Right? What that means is that I’m there for you mentally and physically to achieve your goals. It’s very important for me as a nutritionist whose focus is on PCOS to make sure that my clients are feeling their best self, because ultimately the better they feel, the more they’re able to achieve their goals. We work on their mindset, before anything else.”
Women can often be held back by society’s expectations when it comes to looking after themselves. If their bodies are not a cookie cutter shape, they don’t menstruate regularly or they exhibit signs of hirsutism, women may feel ashamed to search for help. Doctors can also misdiagnose women because of aesthetic bias, simply telling obese women to just lose the weight, or running labs because the slim girl is experiencing issues. Farah describes the self-hatred that women can go through, because they don’t see their bodies as functioning correctly. “They start to hate their bodies, not knowing that you need to be very empathetic with yourself. You need to understand what’s going on to then help treat it.”
Farah talks about the team of other healthcare providers and practitioners it can take to manage PCOS such as gynecologists, and endocrinologists. However, first seeking a Nutty Nutritionist consultation builds a strong foundation to support wellness. The right food for your body can help build your immunity, regulate your hormones, ease joint pain, and generally keep you as healthy as possible instead of using medication to mask the symptoms of what really ails you. “That’s basically what good health comes down to. Listen to your body which is made to function a certain way, and if it’s not [functioning that way], it’s telling us something.” Better to invest in your body now than pay the price later for poor health brought on by poor nutrition choices.
And what does The Nutty Nutritionist want most for her clients, other than investing in themselves by starting with good nutrition, and finding their own communities through following accounts like @nuttynutritionist_ on Instagram? “My ultimate goal is to truly empower women to know what it means to be a strong woman, capable of understanding her body and what her body needs…and to empower them to cut themselves some slack.”
TRUTH OR DARE QUESTIONNAIRE
How would your mother describe you in one word?
Clever – mom’s always come through in the end.
How would you describe your mother in one word?
Kind.
What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
Booked a same day flight to Miami with friends where we found ourselves invited to Diddy’s mansion.
What is your theme song?
Yung Baby Tate – I am.
What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?
Aura
Where would you like to live?
There’s no exact destination in mind, but ideally, a place where the weather is tropical. A place where I can live a comfortable but self-indulgent life.
What is your dream retirement location?
Tenerife
What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.” Henry Ford.
Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?
Wolf. I love me a wolf pack!
What animal best describes your personality?
A bird. Because it’s more than just being free. It invokes the idea of limitless possibilities and looking at life from a different perspective; “bird’s eye view” – no pun intended. When I think of birds, I think of the peace that comes along with that freedom.
If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I wouldn’t; I love my name and I wouldn’t dream of changing it to something else.
What is the toughest part of your character?
Sometimes I can be too direct.
Who’s your fashion icon from history?
Fallon Carrington from Dynasty, does that count? [Editors note: the new one!] If not, Brigit Bardot.
What do you think is lacking in the world, which if there were more of it would make the world a better place?
Empathy
Why do you think most people who do, like you?
I’ve often heard that I’m a good influence to be around, which is something that I try to radiate when meeting new people. Being memorably positive is, I think, very undervalued – but important.
Finish this sentence: “Happiness is…”
A state of mind.
Farah Alexis treats both men and women’s nutritional needs. For more information, check out farahalexis.com and @nuttynutritionist_ on Instagram. Photography by @moh_maher on Instagram.
