Yovanee Veerapen Dietitian, NutriSmart

12/03/2026

Happy Independence Day Mauritius! 🇲🇺

Today we celebrate more than our independence, we celebrate our identity, our culture, and the beautiful diversity that defines Mauritius. And nothing tells our story better than the food we share around our tables.

From dholl puri and rougaille to vindaye, farata, achards and comforting home-cooked curries, our cuisine is a reflection of the many cultures that shape our island.

As a Mauritian dietitian and passionate foodie who loves to cook, I created My Mauritian Kitchen to celebrate:
✨ our authentic flavors
✨ our culinary heritage
✨ and the joy of cooking Mauritian food in a nourishing way.

This Independence Day, let’s take pride in our local cuisine, our local ingredients, and the traditions passed down through generations.

Because preserving our food culture is also a way of preserving who we are as a nation. 🍉🫐🍍🥑

- Yovanee Veerapen, RD & Founder of NutriSmart

25/02/2026

Tiramisu à la Mauricienne!

Instead of Bo***ir biscuits, our home-made tiramisu is prepared with our island's beloved 𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐜, fusing local flavour into every creamy, coffee-soaked layer.
The result? A beautifully balanced dessert that brings together elegance and the comforting taste of home. ✨

View recipe here: https://nutrismart.mu/recipe/tiramisu-a-la-mauricienne-tiramisu-biskwi-manioc/

This recipe is taken from our cookbook '𝘔𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘒𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘯'.

20/02/2026

A Young Woman. A Scary Diagnosis. And The Power of Evidence-Based Care.

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬.”

At her age, those words were terrifying.

Last month, a young lady rushed into my office. You could see the fear in her eyes; The naturopath she had recently consulted told her that she suffered from very high inflammation and circulatory issues.

Adding up to the low season of mild depression, high stress mingled with extreme fatigue, this felt too much for her to handle.

I did what I always do first. I listened. Then I asked a simple question:
“Do you have recent blood test results? Do you have a medical report?”

There were none... and this is where science matters.

As a dietitian trained in evidence-based practice, I gently explained: “If we are talking about inflammation or circulatory issues or arterial blockage, we need objective markers. 𝐖𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚. 𝐖𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬.”

Thankfully, she agreed to run the appropriate blood tests.

In parallel, we explored her lifestyle and what I identified was:
• High intake of ultra-processed foods
• High sugar + high saturated fat combinations
• Digestive discomfort and bloating
• Irregular eating patterns
• Chronic stress

Her body wasn’t failing her. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘮𝘦𝘥.

So, we made simple, realistic changes:
✔️ More structured meals
✔️ Homemade meals
✔️ Better protein balance
✔️ Reduced ultra-processed options
✔️ Digestive support through whole foods
✔️ Stress-aware eating habits

No extreme restrictions. No fear-based advice. No dramatic claims.

Today, after three consultations:
✨ Energy levels have significantly improved
✨ Bloating has reduced
✨ Anxiety around her health has decreased
✨ She feels empowered instead of scared

And her blood results? Let’s just say they told a very different story than what she was led to believe. Personalised, science-based nutrition care matters. Words can create panic, but data creates clarity. And structured guidance creates progress.

Sometimes, what people need is not another alarming diagnosis but someone to translate science into practical, sustainable action. And helping someone move from panic to clarity is one of the most rewarding parts of why I do what I do.

Yovanee Veerapen
Registered Dietitian | Founder, NutriSmart Consultancy Ltd.

19/02/2026

𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦🌙

From all of us at NutriSmart, we wish you and your family a month filled with peace, reflection and good health.

As this blessed month begins, we are sharing our Ramadan Nutrition Booklet: a practical guide to help you fast mindfully, nourish wisely, and stay energised throughout the month.

Download your free copy here: https://nutrismart.mu/nutrismart-ramadan-booklet/

If you have any questions about fasting and nutrition, feel free to contact us; our team will be happy to guide you!

Grab your FREE NutriSmart Ramadan Booklet, a comprehensive guide to promoting a healthy and nourishing diet during the holy month of Ramadan. As a dedicated nutrition consultancy company, we understand the importance of maintaining optimal nutrition while observing religious practices. This booklet....

10/02/2026

𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐬!
Here in Mauritius, pulses such as lentils, beans, chickpeas, dhal, green peas and so on are not a “food trend”; they are already on our plates almost every day. Yet many do not realise how these simple foods can be real superfoods when used well.

Legumes are naturally rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and also provide protein, especially important for vegetarians. But in practice, it is all about quantity and digestive tolerance. Yes, they’re great for your health, but you also need to listen to your body.

💡Do you often feel bloated after eating pulses? You do not necessarily need to cut them out, adjusting the following can often help:
* The quantity
* The type of pulses consumed
* How it was prepared

💡Digestive tip: soak your pulses for about 24 hours, then rinse well before cooking: it helps remove the outer layer that can cause discomfort.

You can find many meal ideas using pulses such as our 𝘷𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘣𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦 and 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘩𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘩 and of course, the famous Mauritian gâteau piment, in our cookbook 'My Mauritian Kitchen'. 😉

04/02/2026

When someone is going through cancer, eating can become confusing, stressful, and sometimes overwhelming. Today is World Cancer Day and the theme for this year is: ‘United by Unique’.

Nutrition does have an impact on cancer progression and vice versa, cancer patients often suffer from loss of appetite and thus lower nutrients (protein, vitamins & minerals) intake. Good nutrition can definitely improve the quality of life of people during and after cancer treatment.

Here are a few gentle nutrition tips we often share with our patients:
1. Eat small, frequent meals - If large meals feel overwhelming, smaller portions more often can help maintain energy.

2. Prioritise protein - Eggs, fish, chicken, dairy, lentils or tofu help support muscle strength and recovery.

3. Add calories without adding volume - Healthy fats like olive oil, peanut butter or avocado can boost nourishment when appetite is low.

4. Choose soft, easy-to-tolerate foods - Soups, smoothies, mashed vegetables and stews are often easier during treatment days.

5. Stay hydrated - Water, herbal teas, broths or diluted fruit juices all count.

6. Be kind to yourself - Some days comfort foods are exactly what your body needs and that’s okay.

There is no ‘perfect cancer diet’. There is only supportive, personalised care.

We are grateful to collaborate with Link to Life in raising awareness and supporting individuals and families affected by cancer.

Eat Smart. Be Healthy. 🍍xx

01/02/2026

Brèdes (leafy greens) are always a welcome addition to the family table.
Whether cooked as bouillon or touffé, we can choose from the wide variety found on our island to match the other dishes. They may not be the main star of the meal, but they are part of what makes it feel complete.

In her latest LinkedIn article, our dietitian Heinsha Halloowan, shares how these green leaves, which have long been valued in our Mauritian cuisine, are great source of nourishment. Explore more about it here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/green-gold-superfood-heinsha-halloowan-sookun-ekumf

You will also find brèdes featured in dishes like our dholl with moringa leaves, a recognised superfood, in My Mauritian Kitchen.

Always remember this; when food heals, energy follows! Superfoods are not a trend; they are simply ancient wisdom backed by modern science. Like it or not, we are all witnessing the soaring trend in diabetes rate around us.

31/01/2026

What science really says about coffee!

From antioxidants that support your health to common misconceptions about hydration and heart risk, this post breaks down what’s true and what’s not so you can sip smarter and enjoy your brew with confidence.

Read more 👉 Coffee and Health: Separating Facts from Myths. https://nutrismart.mu/coffee-and-health-separating-facts-from-myths/

Eat Smart. Be Healthy. 🍍

Coffee is one of the top three most popular beverages in the world, cherished for its bitter taste, pleasing aroma and stimulating effects.

24/01/2026

𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘵.
As dietitians, it can sometimes be frustrating to see misinformation being spread, be it by a well-known influencer or by a wellbeing page or by a random commentator. Their intention may be for good, but the lack of true foundation for the nutritional knowledge shared may cause more harm to the listeners.

Being qualified in Dietetics means that we went through the process of learning knowledge and developing relevant values and skills such as analysing how to adapt and use the knowledge to help our client’s unique case.

Having access to knowledge is a plus, but to fact check it according to your body system, we dietitians are here to help.

This International Day of Education, let’s reflect on the importance of being properly educated nutritionally so as not to harm others with misinformation or partial knowledge.

16/01/2026

Happy Hot & Spicy International Day! 🌶️

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲𝐭𝐡: Healthy food = bland and colourless
𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡: Healthy food can be bold, flavourful, and vibrant!

We are blessed with a spice-rich, delicious, and colourful Mauritian cuisine: one that can be fully enjoyed and nourishing at the same time.
While moderation is key, spices absolutely have a place in a healthy lifestyle.

Discover how to enjoy Mauritian flavours the healthy way.
Get your copy of My Mauritian Kitchen here: 👉 https://nutrismart.mu/shop/
Also available at Le Printemps, Bookcourt, Le Trefle, Blue Penny, and on Amazon!

12/01/2026

Yes, you heard it right: No Detox. Your liver and kidneys are working 24/7, no green juice required.

Health isn’t a reset button, it’s daily care. You want to have something hot, opt for green tea or mint infusion or any other flavour of your choice 🤷🏻‍♀️

Eat Smart. Be Healthy. 🍍✨

07/01/2026

New Year is not equal to New You! Just be a better version of yourself…

Here’s a tasty way to cut through all the confusing food noise out there 🥳 A revisited Galette des Rois - simple, comforting and totally doable at home.

✨ Save this for later!

Ingredients:
120g almond powder
2 whole eggs
40g soft butter
55g muscovado sugar
Vanilla essence
400g Flaky Pastry (Pâte Feuilletée)

Method:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the almond powder, eggs, butter, sugar and vanilla to prepare the frangipane.
2. Roll out the flaky pastry into two sheets and cut into circles.
3. Spread the frangipane onto one circle, then cover with the second. Lightly moisten the edges with water so they seal well.
4. Brush with an egg yolk and milk glaze.
5. Bake at 200°C for about 25 minutes.

Tadaaaa… Enjoy it with a good infusion of your choice 😋

Nutrition is a science, not just an opinion.

Eat Smart. Be Healthy. 🍍