Rowaidah Idriss is a Saudi dietitian who has a doctorate in nutrition, and offers therapeutic and sports nutrition courses. Rheumatism has not hindered her from gaining success and achieving her goals. Rather, Dr. Idriss sets an inspiring example for all of us.

Al Jamila, Arab News’ sister publication, interviewed Dr. Idriss to find out more about what she does and how she is promoting healthy living in Saudi society.

What are your qualifications and achievements?

I received a doctorate in nutrition, and took courses in therapeutic and sports nutrition. My doctorate thesis was about unhealthy diets and how to convert them into healthy ones. I chose this topic because of the massive popularity of rapid weight loss diets, which are quite threatening to one’s health and a cause of obesity as well. This includes the psychological problems resulting from the deficiency of essential nutrients in these kinds of diets. While working at Gold’s Gym, I noticed that women were ignorant about appropriate nutrition as well as about the right way of practicing sports. This led me to study the nutrition of athletes. I also have another doctorate in ethical marketing. I would like to earn a certificate such as in child psychology, which qualifies me to deal with children, especially autistic children and those with special needs.

How do you spread awareness?

Through social media, visiting government and private schools, special needs centers, district centers, and women’s jails.

Tell us more about the meaning of philosophy of nutrition.

Philosophy of nutrition is about how to get to the people’s minds. It is more about teaching them the importance of changing themselves in order to improve their health, than just offering advice.

How do you encourage people, including your patients?

Gaining their confidence and friendship is the most helpful way of encouraging them. Keeping in touch with them, and setting myself as a healthy example gives them support.

Do you always succeed in changing your patients’ habitual diet?

Of course, this is not always the case. However, some of the patients that were not convinced with the importance of following a healthy diet at the beginning, come to me later and tell me to help them to improve their health.

Are some acquired diseases really a result of diet?

I believe in the prominent Arab doctor Al-Harith ibn Kaladah’s saying: “Diet is the best cure; and the stomach is the residence of ailment.”

How can you change someone’s diet?

By stressing the importance of health, and how it is the real key to beauty. If they seek temporal appearances I try to convince them that health is what must be their real goal.

What kinds of food do you recommend to avoid?

I do not recommend avoiding any kind of food. What I advice is that one should know what and when to eat. Excessive eating is harmful even if the food is healthy. The same goes for water, drinking too much water exhausts the kidneys and leads to dysfunction. One has to be moderate in their eating.

What is meant by illusionary diet?

Illusionary diet functions as a shortcut to fitness, but at the same time causes a lot of health problems that affect one’s hair, skin and energy. The happy results of fitness do not last long, the weight might double once the diet is stopped.

Is there a relation between genetics and weight?

Scientifically speaking, yes. However, hereditary obesity can be avoided by sticking to a healthy diet. Sadly, our society is good at making excuses to escape responsibility.

What is the best advice for a healthy and balanced diet?

I advise people to first love themselves. This does not mean to be selfish, but loving one’s self leads them to what is best for them. It will make us care about our health. I also ask people to bear in mind the consequences of their food choices. Health is safety.

Do you think that being used to certain types of food affects one’s appetite toward the other types?

Yes, it does. This is why we recommend people to start with the most nutritious foods, such as salad and soup, until they fill up a part of their stomach. This will help them avoid high calorie food, such as carbohydrates and fats. Therefore, I always recommend that one should not go to a party with an empty stomach, rather they should eat a fiber-rich snack that will prevent them from excessive eating.

Is it possible to combat ageing problems among women through food?

Some diseases that were traditionally linked to ageing are no more limited to the elderly and old. Take for example osteoporosis, it used to be primarily associated with aging. But now with the spread of energy drinks, soft drinks, and products that are full of sugar and refined salt, osteoporosis, as well as blood pressure and other diseases, have become common among all age groups. For me, age is measured by one’s health, not years.

What are some of the problems you face with your patients?

Carelessness, stubbornness, listening to what other people say, and not admitting having a problem.

Does one’s psychology affect a person’s body and weight?

Absolutely, psychology has a big impact on our lives. Being positive and optimistic, trusting God and having a healthy psychology are a few things that help us to live a good life, and they even affect our weight positively. On the other hand, being pessimistic, not trusting in God and being ill-tempered ruin one’s life and weight.

Do you have any fears?

First of all, I’m pleased with God’s destiny. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to serve myself and those around me because of my illness (rheumatism). The fear of physical disability had been a threatening ghost haunting my life. However, I overcame this fear by God’s love, and the love of the people around me. It has completely disappeared. I now fear nothing because I firmly trust in God, and He is sufficient against all harm. My sickness increased my power and aspirations. I now control it by taking care of my health, nutrition and feelings, and don’t resort to medical cures. God’s care and my family’s love are providing me with the best relief.

All successful people have enemies. Do you agree?

One’s worst enemy is themselves. Success has no enemies, but it breeds envy. Those who cannot attain success, will try to destruct your success.

What do you wish for in the future?

I have endless ambitions. I always say that I’ll die and there is a lot left that I have not studied yet.

How do you contribute your knowledge to the community?

I try to spread awareness among people. For example, I once saw a 7-year-old child buying lots of sweets and crisps, I told him that it would be healthier if he buys some milk to drink with the sweets, and some juice with the crisps. He was rather surprised. Anyway, I believe that he did what I told him to do.

How did marketing play a role in being a dietitian?

All sciences are complementary to each other. My marketing background helped me to combat the promotion of unhealthy products, it enabled me to clarify the actual situation for consumers who become easy victims.

How do you advice people to overcome failure?

I don’t believe in failure. I recommend people to do a simple and realistic thing, which is to read about the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and follow his way of faith, determination and persistence.

Who is your ideal example in life?

My late grandfather Abdulqadir, may God have mercy upon his soul, for his humbleness and generosity, my mother for her patience and wisdom, my father for his creativity, and my late uncle Anwar, may God have mercy upon him, for his kindness and tolerance.

Does smoking affect weight?

I don’t think so. There are overweight smokers, and non-smoking overweight people as well.

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