Sauda Rahat is a qualified nutrition expert with a Master’s in Foods & Nutrition (gold medalist), along with a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics. She also holds certifications in Childhood Nutrition and Early Childhood Care, as well as a diploma in PCOS management through diet and lifestyle modifications.
With over 14 years of experience, her areas of specialization include Pre- and Post-Natal Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Weight Management, and Metabolic Disorders. Over the years, she has worked with hospitals, schools and Indian Army. In an interaction with THIP Media, she highlighted the importance of health literacy and pointed out the consequences of non verified health information. Read more…
When a patient explains to you about their health problems, what are the most common mistakes they make in their communication?
One of the most common mistakes people make while communicating about their diet is missing out on the minute details. And in nutrition, those details make a huge difference. For instance, when I ask a patient what they usually eat for breakfast, they may say, “Just 2 rotis and some sabzi.” But later, on further discussion, I found out they had tea and biscuits before that, which they didn’t even consider important to mention.
That’s why I often have to dig deeper into their routine to get the complete picture. Understanding a person’s actual eating habits requires detailed conversations, and honestly, that can be quite challenging at times.
What does health literacy mean to you, and why is it important in patient care?
Health literacy means everything to me. Today, with unlimited non-verified information available at the tap of a finger, many patients struggle to understand what is actually right or wrong for their health. Social media has created a space where suddenly everyone becomes a doctor, nutritionist, paediatrician, beautician, or expert of some sort.
For example, someone may read online that dates are “great for women’s health” because they contain iron and other nutrients. But what people often miss is that such advice is not universal. Nowhere does it mention that individuals with diabetes should avoid consuming them in large quantities. As a result, people may experience unwanted weight gain, blood sugar fluctuations, and other health issues.
That is why proper health literacy is so important; people need accurate, balanced, and personalized guidance instead of blindly following generic internet advice.
If a patient is knowledgeable about the basics of their health condition, how helpful is it for the overall treatment procedure?
When a patient is knowledgeable and aware about their health, treatment outcomes improve significantly. Patients are more likely to follow medications, dietary advice, and treatment plans properly when they understand the purpose behind them. It also improves communication between the healthcare professional and the patient, as informed patients can explain their symptoms, concerns, and habits more clearly. In addition, lifestyle modifications such as healthier eating, regular exercise, stress management, and disease control become much easier to adopt and sustain when patients are educated about their condition.
How much can medical misinformation impact treatment procedures?
Medical misinformation can completely disrupt the treatment process. It often creates unnecessary fear, confusion, and unrealistic expectations in patients. Many people start self-diagnosing based on internet searches, social media reels, or forwarded messages instead of consulting qualified healthcare professionals. Misinformation also affects the trust between patients and healthcare professionals. Sometimes patients begin doubting evidence-based treatment because an influencer, friend, or WhatsApp forward suggested something different. This can make treatment adherence difficult and ultimately worsen the condition.
What are the most common myths or misinformation you see your patients falling prey to?
Some of the most common myths and misinformation today revolve around diet, workouts, and skincare, largely driven by social media trends and unverified online advice. The biggest issue with such misinformation is that it oversimplifies health and promotes one-size-fits-all solutions. In reality, diet, fitness, and skincare should always be individualized, evidence-based, and guided by qualified professionals rather than internet trends or viral content.
What is your most common advice to patients to stay away from health misinformation online?
People should always ask for the source or reference behind any health-related content they consume online. It is important to check the educational qualifications and professional background of the person sharing the information, because not everyone creating content is medically qualified to give health advice. If there is any doubt, the safest approach is to verify the information with a known expert or a trusted healthcare professional. In today’s digital world, where misinformation spreads very quickly, developing the habit of questioning and verifying health information is extremely important.
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