Today we meet with nutritionist Sara Oujeh, a young ambitious woman who has managed to establish herself in the field of nutrition.
First, we welcome you, Ms. Sara, and please introduce yourself to us?
Thank you for hosting me in this meeting and giving me the opportunity to reach out to the esteemed community through your platform..
I am Sara Oujeh, a registered nutritionist. I obtained a bachelor's degree in science specializing in Food Science and Human Nutrition from McGill University. I completed 40 weeks of training (professional practice phase), which included a variety of professional trainings such as clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and food service management in both Montreal and Ottawa. This program was designed by (ICDEP) and accredited by (PDEP).
I also hold a certificate in adult weight management, and I provide nutrition consultations and weight control programs. I design meal plans that contain special meals based on preferred types of food, lifestyle, and individual goals.
My field of specialization covers these areas: weight management, sports nutrition, digestive system, diabetes, heart diseases, overeating, and nutrition for pregnant women before birth and postpartum during breastfeeding.

At Arab Canada News, we work to be a bridge of communication among members of the Arab community, and therefore we support any work that contributes to introducing its members to each other and highlighting successful models among them so they can be inspiring examples for others...

Why did you choose to study this specialization? Tell me about your professional goals and the voting in which you were selected as one of the best nutritionists in Ottawa?
I chose to study this specialization so that as a nutritionist I can help people and enable them to achieve the equation of proper nutrition and stay healthy, as well as build healthy dietary habits. I now teach children, adults, and parents how to do this with their children at early stages.
My goal is to help people become healthy and happy, whether by sharing a useful post, something funny on a difficult day, or through a face-to-face session to help the person become the healthiest version of themselves. I know very well that a person feels much better when their health is good. The idea that I help others feel this way about themselves means a lot to me.
We live in an era where there is much indifference regarding nutrition, making it difficult for the average person to know what foods to eat. My goal is to change some of the wrong food beliefs among some people and protect them from being exploited by those who think only of their interests without caring about others' health.
I want to make a significant contribution in the field of nutrition. Being a nutritionist means you have cognitive power in one of the most important topics in the world, and this means your ideas and opinions are highly appreciated and respected. Undoubtedly this is a privilege and a great responsibility, but it is very rewarding.
Regardless of the voting in which I was chosen as the best nutritionist in Ottawa, honestly, I love my work. As a nutritionist, I regularly see people who are keen to see me. They chose me, and I appreciate their choice. They are completely open to my observations and suggestions. Praise be to God, I have a good relationship with all my clients, so every appointment with any client is literally an absolute joy. The look of joy on the client’s face after they start seeing the results of following their special healthy diet is priceless.
How do you assess the nutritional needs of any new client?
My first meeting with the client lasts an hour and is an assessment meeting. During this meeting, I gather information about the client’s eating behaviors, health status, and medical history. Together, we set dietary and health goals for treatment and how to implement small and realistic changes in their current diet, then I provide them with basic nutrition information and a specially designed meal plan for them.
There is an important saying, "We are what we eat and breathe." How do you see this saying? And is the importance of healthy nutrition in the context of disease prevention, treatment, or both?
Yes, definitely, healthy nutrition is important for prevention and helps in treating diseases as well. Eating healthy and making it a lifestyle helps reduce the risk of some chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. It also helps prevent anemia, neural tube defects, and gallbladder diseases.
Any diagnosis of the mentioned conditions can be treated and improved. The patient may even give up medications by following a healthy diet and losing weight, which I have done with many clients.
Most people in Arab communities believe they should only see a nutritionist if they want to lose weight. What would you like to say to them, and when should a person visit a nutritionist?
You are right; there are many reasons to see a nutritionist besides weight loss. You can see a nutritionist when you feel symptoms affecting your health or simply because you decided to try a new diet and are curious to learn certain nutritional details. I can summarize reasons to see a nutritionist as follows:
• You are healthy but curious if your diet suits your health and goals; it’s useful to meet a nutritionist to discuss this, and they will help design a suitable diet.
• You have digestive problems like gas, bloating, acidity, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, etc. A nutritionist can guide you to the appropriate diet to treat each case.
• You want to improve your sports performance and need advice about enhancing physical activity through a suitable diet to help gain competitive advantages. You can see a sports nutritionist because they specialize in nutrient timing, energy needs, supplements, and more.
• You have an eating disorder (always hungry or the opposite, loss of appetite). Hunger is a natural and important health indicator, and any disorder in this feeling can be treated by changing eating habits.
• You notice you get sick frequently and constantly feel tired and exhausted and lose the ability to perform your tasks; this is abnormal, and you should see a nutritionist as a balanced diet may help solve this problem.
• Women suffering from hormonal problems, for example (absence of menstruation, infertility issues, etc.), which vary from person to person.
• Pregnant women, those thinking of pregnancy, and also postpartum and breastfeeding women need to see a nutritionist for guidance.
• If abnormal blood test results appear, it may require seeing a nutritionist to design a diet helping to treat the problem.
• Suspected food allergy, diagnosis of chronic diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, heart diseases, and kidney diseases.
• Weight management (loss or gain) requires seeing a nutrition specialist to help you reach your goal.
We always look for the specialist to guide us to solve any problem in any field of life, and the same applies to our nutritional health. You should choose a nutritionist who has the scientific and practical experience that qualifies them to deal properly with clients and provide honest and correct advice.
I always hear from nutrition experts this saying, "Weight loss should be a lifestyle, not a temporary diet." What are your dietary recommendations for people who suffer from overweight?
Certainly, weight loss is related to lifestyle, and here are some recommendations:
I advise those who want to lose weight to eat plenty of vegetables. I tell them not to fear carbohydrates because many studies have shown that eating healthy carbohydrates helps get rid of fat in the long term. It’s about controlling the amount of food and choosing whole grains instead of refined sugars.
Do not follow unhealthy diets. Exercise is also important, but some exercises may not help to lose weight as desired because of overestimating the calories burned during exercise. Do not give up when results are slow because perseverance alone will show results.
Many mothers face difficulty providing healthy food to their children, especially in early stages. What advice do you have for them to raise children on a healthy dietary pattern?
The most important thing is to train the child to listen to their hunger signals (which is one reason why breastfeeding helps prevent obesity), unlike bottle feeding, where parents force the child to finish the bottle even if it exceeds their need..
Parents should make fruits and vegetables an essential part of their children’s meals and keep trying if children refuse to eat them. It may take several attempts before children accept. Encourage them to taste everything and avoid making separate meals for each child if they refuse the served meal; they should try everything.
By the end of the first year, set a schedule for three healthy meals and two healthy snacks daily (one between breakfast and lunch, the other between lunch and dinner). If the child does not eat what is offered after about 20 minutes, remove the food and do not offer alternatives. Let them wait for the next meal according to the schedule. The child will discover that if they do not eat their meal, they will remain hungry and will be keen next time to eat what is offered.
Limit useless snacks that suppress their appetite, try to reduce juices, and train the child to drink water instead when thirsty. Do not keep unhealthy foods within children’s reach by not bringing them home and reduce fast foods in their diet.
Do you encourage students preparing to enter university soon to study this specialization, and what are its advantages in your view?
Of course, I encourage students to choose this specialization because when they graduate, they will work in the field of nutrition, which offers the opportunity to help people eat healthily and be healthy for the rest of their lives.
The profession is also diverse and has many fields; one can work in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, prisons, psychiatric hospitals, and restaurants.
Finally, through Arab Canada newspaper, what would you like to say to the Arab community members?
A nutritionist can help you make the best dietary choices and take care of your health for the rest of your life. It is not necessary to have a health problem to visit a nutritionist. They work with both healthy and sick people and will provide you with support, knowledge, and correct advice. I wish everyone safety.
Thank you, Ms. Sara, for this meeting and the valuable information you provided us. I wish you success and prosperity in your personal and professional life..