An Interview with Registered Dietitian Basherrah Enahora
Spring is here, and I’m still celebrating National Nutrition Month AND Women History Month by highlighting several African American female dietitians blazing a trail as the food and nutrition experts. I reached out to four registered dietitians nutritionists passionate about making a difference in their communities, from coast to coast, and all over the world. I asked them to answer 5 nutrition-related questions and to share at least one of their favorite recipes. Yum!
The third registered dietitian nutritionist I’m delighted to feature on my website is Basheerah Enahora, MBA, MS, RDN, LDN, owner of BE Nutrition LLC. Basheerah’s true call is to help women gain control of their health in the midst of their busy jobs and family lives. By helping women move past their emotional eating habits and neglect of self-care, she empowers women to apply healthy eating principles and mindfulness in their everyday lives.
Fun facts about Basheerah:
- Amateur chef
- A serious foodie
- A wanderlust traveler
- A runner
- A wine enthusiast
Interview Q&A
1.) Why did you become a registered dietitian nutritionist?
My path to becoming an RD wasn’t typical. After working for over a decade in the food manufacturing industry, I left a successful corporate career and returned to school to pursue a Master of Science in Nutrition. As an RD, I’ve worked clinically in Chicago, North Carolina, and South Carolina, providing medical nutrition therapy, diabetes education, and weight management counseling.
After years of working in a weight management practice, I decided to start my own private practice with a focus on mindful eating/mindfulness and functional nutrition. I use both conventional and alternative approaches to managing chronic disease and improving gut health. I’m truly passionate about helping people, particularly women, embrace a holistic, healthy lifestyle that’s unique to their individual needs and doesn’t involve feeling deprived. It is the primary reason why I decided to become an RD.
2.) If you could be any food, what would you be and why?
If I could be any food, it would be an avocado, because they’re so versatile and nutrient-dense. I always look for ways to add nutrition to dishes in creative ways, and avocados lend so beautifully to this. They add depth and richness to both sweet and savory meals or snacks and can be used in place of other fats for a nutrient boost, given their fiber, vitamin, and mineral content. And because avocados are so mild in flavor, you can add them to dishes without changing the flavor, or without your kids or loved ones even knowing.
Avocado is a fruit and a great source of monounsaturated fat.
3.) Must have kitchen tools
My must-have kitchen tool is my food processor. I have two, a mini 3-cup and a large 7-cup, and use them for everything from chopping veggies to making sauces, pesto, dressings, hummus, flour blends, and yummy, quick treats!
4.) Favorite meal as a child and favorite meal as an adult
My favorite meal as a child, and as an adult, is definitely pizza. In fact, my favorite night of the week is Friday, because just about every Friday is pizza and wine night for me. Now, I should clarify that the majority of the time, I make my own cauliflower crust vegetarian pizza and enjoy it with a glass of red wine. However, there are times when nothing will do but visiting my favorite pizza spot for a few slices of delicious NY-style crust pizza!
5.) The best thing about being a registered dietitian nutritionist?
The best part of being a registered dietitian is seeing the transformation my clients experience. It never gets old to hear a client tell me how much better and healthier they feel after working together.
BASHEERAH RECIPES
Basheerah shared several of her tasty and healthy recipes for you to prepare at home.
Fire Roasted Vegan Chili
https://www.benutritionco.com/blog/2018/2/23/fire-roasted-vegan-chili
Omega-Rich Banana Bread
https://www.benutritionco.com/blog/2017/11/14/omega-rich-oat-banana-bread
Dreamy Pumpkin Black Bean Brownies
https://www.benutritionco.com/blog/2017/09/25/dreamy-pumpkin-black-bean-brownies
BASHEERAH’S SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE
Connect with Basheerah on social media –> @benutritionco
Website: www.benutritionco.com
Nutritionally Yours,
Jerlyn
