This inspired me to pursue a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics to combine my love of food with my passion for health. I immediately began helping individuals improve their health, and also worked in various areas of dietetics including clinical dietetics, community health, nutrition research, supermarket nutrition, and academia, to gain a better understanding of how it all comes together to provide the best practical nutrition solutions.

Through my work, I have seen a concerning rise in cardiometabolic (heart and metabolic) conditions that often present together and impact individuals' day-to-day lives including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, ultimately leading to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, the related conditions of fatty liver, kidney disease, shortened healthspan and life expectancy. Determined to make a difference and translate science to the highest quality evidence-based nutrition advice, I pursued a Doctor of Philosophy in Cardiometabolic Health. I have learned that when implemented correctly you can start seeing changes in as little as 1-4 weeks.

Growing up in Sydney, I really loved eating cultural foods and understood the struggle of wanting to enjoy your favourite Asian dishes without compromising your health. It is almost impossible to create Asian meals without added salt or sauces containing salt such as soy sauce, fish sauce and oyster sauce. I found myself gradually over the years limiting my favourite cultural dishes to occasions and it was disheartening to watch clients, family, and friends consume Asian meals that were high in sodium and often unbalanced in nutrition. There were no Best-For-You meal seasonings available. Food is an integral way to connect to our culture and who we are, and I felt that I was losing a vital part of my cultural identity if I could not find a solution. Through years of providing nutrition advice, I also understood that there are barriers between advice and implementation.

So, I took matters into my own hands, combining my food science and dietetics knowledge and together with university friends, we created Heartful Flavours meal base seasonings with all healthy ingredients and nutritionally balanced recipes that would help people easily cook and enjoy their favourite cultural dishes healthily daily! Give Heartful Flavours a try today and taste the difference for yourself. Your heart and taste buds will thank you!