Bangalore-based Qua Nutrition founder and sports nutritionist Ryan Fernando was in town last month to launch their first centre in Calcutta, at Endorphins Corrective Exercise Studio, near Mukti World off Ballygunge Phari. t2 walked in for a chat with Ryan who runs Qua Nutrition centres in Bangalore, Goa and Chennai...
What is qua?
Qua in Latin means ‘in the capacity of’. We help a person discover his or her capacity for nutrition.
Since you’re a sports nutritionist, is Qua Nutrition only for athletes and budding athletes?
Qua Nutrition is for anybody who eats. If you eat, you have to discover your qua. The whole philosophy is, if the sportsman can benefit from following a structured nutrition plan, why not the aam aadmi? Everyone from a pregnant mother to an infant to an old person, who might have had a triple bypass surgery, can benefit from a nutrition plan.
How do you help us discover our qua?
We look at your height, weight, blood tests and genetics. If the human body is the hardware, the genes are the software. If someone has a milk sensitivity gene, we’ll find out.
Can a blood test yield the same results as a DNA test?
A blood test is transient to that period of your life. A DNA test or a gene test is more permanent. It allows you to build your nutritional choices from a very young age.
Tell us about the gene test.
From a sports point of view, we can analyse a certain number of genes and find out what kind of potential the child has, depending on how he scores on power or endurance and train him accordingly. We can also surmise whether he has an international potential. In the past, a trainer attempted to spot this potential. We can measure if the collagen and soft tissue are prone to injury and advise you accordingly. Sometimes the solution is simple; in this case, it’s hydration. Most people don’t hydrate well. Dehydration causes the muscle and tissues to become dry and more susceptible to damage.
How does Qua Nutrition form a nutrition plan?
We use a proprietary software in the clinic which has allowed us to have mathematical supremacy over protein, carbs and fat. We know in every food what the protein, fat and carbohydrate composition is and what the percentage is in that meal. So when we’re planning, this allows us to have a mathematical accuracy. Our nutritionist will also look into a blood test and will determine whether you need any nutritional supplements such as a B12 from a concentrated liver tablet or a simple chemically synthesised B complex Becosule tablet.
Is it difficult to ensure that children stick to the plan?
We can teach children how to eat better by getting both the kids and children into nutrition counselling, and making the parents understand how to feed the children with a guideline on the best food for them. The child will mimic parent behaviour and imitate their likes and dislikes, so parents have to show that they also like the food they’re having. A school-going child takes nine to 12 exposures to overcome the distaste of certain food. Most parents give up by the third or fourth time because children are extremely resistant to trying anything new. I introduce a new food to my child every month.
How did Qua Nutrition come about?
I started Qua Nutrition in 2011 in Bangalore. I used to work as a nutritionist for companies that sold food products. When I tried to market the food, everyone asked me how they could capitalise on their home food and tweak the meals in their own kitchens. We gave free diet charts for people who bought the products and I saw an opportunity in that. The number of consumers asking for help to change their nutrition plans is enormous.
Who’s Ryan Fernando?
•An MSc in Clinical Biochemistry and Food Biotechnology, and a certified sports nutritionist.
His list of clients features names like wrestler Sushil Kumar, cricketers Robin Uthappa, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, •Pragyan Ojha, and golfer Sharmila Nicollet.
•His son, Icahns, is the youngest nutrition genetic-tested kid in the country, tested when he was seven and a half months old.
Picture: Pabitra Das
