About Us

What if nutrition could get its due place again — no longer luxury of the elite, but health language of the masses? That was the question that spawned the Community Nutrition Forum (CNF) -- a group of dietitians, who know that true empowerment starts when knowledge goes public. We toil where myths flourish -- in discourses, in communities, in kitchens. We listen, we learn, and we put the science jargon in simple terms that everyone understands. Our efforts go beyond of the board and of the chart; they impact life.

An open textbook on a desk features illustrations of various fruits and vegetables with labels, accompanied by detailed text. A child's hand is visible, holding a pencil over a notebook. Other items, such as a highlighter and eraser, are present on the desk.

In Kerala, where cuisine is more than nourishment — a tale, a season, an emotion — a whispered suggestion evolved.

CNF Kerala represents a new form of advocacy -- evidence-based, empath-based, and culture-based. Nutrition to us isn't about do's and don'ts — it's about reconnecting with food, the earth, and each other. This is our revolution — a gentle revolution into clear thinking, compassion, and social wellbeing.

Introduction

It was during the pandemic; the doors of houses were locked. Yet, the global doors were wide open. In that stillness, we like-minded dietitians took an ode to nourish and thus born the new satyagraha against food illiteracy.

We are not just a forum of professional dietitians. We are nurturers, educators, and mothers to our future generation.

We believe in the Food science, prevent with Nutrients and cure with dietetics.

By balancing every meal, we bring back meaning to every meal.

A group of people standing in a circle with their hands together

How we started

Every phase of human evolution carries its own impact. Likewise, the growth of social media has come with a package of falsified dietary misinformation, where opinions echo louder than evidence, and health has become a trending illusion. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Man often becomes what he believes himself to be.” People were swayed away by the masquerades of miracles.

a single purple flower sitting in the middle of a field

For us dietitians, it was disheartening to witness how easily truth was overshadowed by trends. Hence, we rose for our society — to fight against the tide of infodemics, to advance preventive health, and to empower our communities to make informed, confident decisions about food and wellbeing. Our efforts are science-based, empathetic in guidance, and collective in spirit — built on the strength that comes from standing together for truth.

(Trust registered as No.415/IV/2023 Date - 06-12-2023)

Mrs. Sherin Thomas is a highly esteemed clinical nutrition professional with over 28 years of distinguished experience in hospital dietetics, clinical nutrition management, policy development, and public health education. She currently serves as the Head of the Department of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics at Aster MIMS, Calicut, where she leads one of Kerala’s most advanced dietetics departments with precision, discipline, and deep scientific commitment.

Her career reflects strong expertise in clinical nutrition services, therapeutic diet planning, multidisciplinary teamwork, protocol development, and capacity-building for dietitians. She is widely acknowledged for strengthening dietetic standards, guiding complex clinical cases, and fostering evidence-based nutrition practice in tertiary-care settings.

Mrs. Sherin Thomas has played pivotal roles as Department Head, Senior Clinical Dietitian, Clinical Nutrition Strategist, Hospital Nutrition Policy Developer, Academic Mentor, and a respected voice in Kerala’s nutrition fraternity. She has contributed extensively to community nutrition programs, public health talks, nutrition awareness initiatives, professional training programs, and the advancement of ethical dietetics practice. Her areas of strength include Clinical Nutrition, Critical-Care Dietetics, Therapeutic Diet Planning, Hospital Dietary Systems, Quality-driven Nutrition Protocols, Team Leadership, Patient Education and interdisciplinary collaboration.

She holds advanced qualifications in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics and has undergone specialized training in leading multispeciality hospitals, enhancing her mastery in delivering high-standard, patient-centered nutrition care.A committed professional with deep-rooted values, she has mentored numerous dietitians, contributed to shaping Kerala’s dietetic landscape, and continues to champion the cause of scientific, compassionate nutrition care.

Mrs. Sherin Thomas, RD

Senior Clinical Nutrition Leader | Clinical Dietitian | Hospital Nutrition Specialist

Founding Trustees

Dr. Sripirya Shaji integrates dietetics, psychology, and neuroscience to strengthen nutritional–mental health care in India. A graduate in Nutrition & Dietetics, with postgraduate and doctoral qualifications in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Dietetics & Food Service Management, she works as an independent researcher, Counselling Psychologist and Nutritionist.

Beginning her professional journey in 2001, she brings over 25 years of experience. After 16 years in multispecialty hospitals, she established Srisha Counselling and Srisha Academy, advancing psychological care, nutrition education, and applied research. Her work spans Eating Disorders, ADHD, Autism, neurodegenerative disorders, maternal mental health, and geriatrics. She has authored 20 research publications, presented 23 scientific papers, contributed to book chapters, and is a recognised speaker at national and international conferences on food–mind science.

Key Credentials

Certified in Strategic Centre for Obesity Professional Education (SCOPE)
Certified in Nutritional Psychology and Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis with diet–mental health relationship
Monash University certified in Disordered Eating in GI Disorders and Low FODMAP Diet Therapy
Diploma in Art Therapy
Certified in Advanced Nutrigenomics

Roles

Founder & Secretary, Community Nutrition Forum, Kerala
Chief Program Officer, Neuro Nutrition Core Group, IAPEN India
Co-Editor, Mind Matters International Magazine

She continues to write, research, and teach, bridging food, mind, and culture in India’s evolving health landscape.

Dr Sripirya Shaji PhD

Independent Researcher – Nutritional Psychology & Nutritional Neuroscience Counselling Psychologist | Dietitian | Entrepreneur

Jothi James is a seasoned nutrition professional with 20+ years of experience spanning clinical nutrition, public health, food science & quality systems, and non-communicable disease (NCD) management. With over a decade of service in the Government Health Sector, she specializes in therapeutic nutrition, patient and group counselling, lifestyle modification, and community-based NCD prevention. Currently, she is working as Clinical Dietitian cum Counsellor at Government Taluk Hospital, Feroke, Kozhikode.

Her career includes leadership roles as Government Hospital Dietician (NCD Division), Senior Dietician in multispeciality hospital, Quality Manager, and Teaching Faculty in Nutrition & Dietetics. She also serves as a Certified Diabetes Educator, delivering structured diabetes education and lifestyle interventions, supported by training exposure from reputed healthcare institutions.

She currently holds key professional leadership positions as Founder & Treasurer of the Community Nutrition Forum,Kerala (CNF) and Treasurer of the Indian Association for Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition (IAPEN) Kannur Chapter.

She is deeply engaged in public health and community outreach, playing an active role in ICDS and community nutrition programmes, leading NCD screening and awareness camps, conducting lifestyle and nutrition education sessions, and supporting research and capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving population health outcomes.

She is a Life Member of the Indian Dietetic Association (IDA) and Indian Association for Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition (IAPEN). Her work is guided by a strong commitment to evidence-based practice, preventive healthcare, and empowering individuals and communities toward sustainable healthy living.

Mrs. Jothi James

Nutrition Professional |
Clinical Dietician |
NCD Specialist |
Food Science & Quality Expert Certified Diabetes Educator

Mrs. Uma Kalyani is a Registered Dietitian, Yoga Trainer, and Lifestyle Mentor with over 25 years of experience. She is the Founder and Director of UmasNutriyoga, Managing Partner of Yoga Plus Studio, Trivandrum, and serves as Senior Dietitian Consultant at Sri Ramakrishna Charitable Hospital, Shasthamangalam. She guides clients in mindful eating, fitness through regular exercise, practicing yoga, emotional wellness via meditation and relaxation techniques, and encourages positivity and active living. During the pandemic, she created the online community Purple Health Challengers, exclusively for women, which now has over 1800 members focusing on holistic wellness.|

She holds a Master’s degree in Food and Nutrition from Kerala University and is a Registered Dietitian, having successfully cleared the RD exam conducted by the Indian Dietetic Association. Additionally, she is certified in Low FODMAP diet therapy and recognized as a Gastro Diet Specialist through Monash University, Australia.

She is an active member of Eat Right India, Trivandrum chapter (FSSAI), and as Founder Member and Vice President of the Community Nutrition Forum (CNF), she promotes nutrition awareness across Kerala. Her contributions include health articles in Vanitha, IMA Nammude Arogyam, and features in The Hindu, Malayala Manorama, The New Indian Express, The Times of India. She is also the author of the book “Millet Magic”, which advocates the use of millets to enhance health, inspired by the WHO‑declared Millet Year.

Her expertise spans millet awareness sessions, mindful eating, wellness programs for kids and teenage girls, corporate relaxation sessions for IT firms like Infosys, UST Global, Envestnet, Alliance Technologies, IBS, H&R Block, Quest Global, and scientific presentations at international conferences including JPEF ( Jyothidevs Professional Education Forum), RSSDI, Cognitopia, along with online sessions for overseas communities.

Mrs. Uma Kalyani RD

Registered Dietitian,
Yoga Trainer, and
Lifestyle Mentor

Soniya K Joseph is an experienced Clinical Dietitian with over 12 years of specialised practice in leading multi-speciality hospitals and nutrition centres across Kerala, Bangalore, and online platforms. She is the founder of Magicus Plate and currently serves as Senior Dietitian, Diabetes Educator, and LOWFODMAP Specialist at Magicus Plate, Mukkam, Calicut, where she provides personalised consultations for adults, children, and families.

She has strong expertise in therapeutic nutrition, including diabetes management, obesity and weight reduction, paediatric nutrition, renal diets, gastrointestinal disorders, and lifestyle disease care. Soniya is skilled in developing practical, evidence-based diet plans that are culturally suitable and easy to follow. Her professional work spans clinical consultations, menu planning, recipe development, patient education, nutrition workshops, and digital diet coaching.

Soniya has extensive experience working with OPD clinics, hospitals, schools, and online platforms. She holds a Master’s degree in Food Service Management and Dietetics. She is a certified LOWFODMAP Dietitian (Monash University), National Diabetes Educator (Dr. Mohan’s Academy), and is registered with the HCPC (UK). She is also an active member of IDA, IAPEN, and a founding member of the Community Nutrition Forum (CNF), where she serves as Joint Secretary.

Dedicated to promoting sustainable nutrition and health awareness, Soniya has co-authored and compiled the e-book “Poshanayathra”, the recipe book “Millet Magic”, and presented research posters at national conferences including RSSDI. She has also contributed articles to leading dailies and magazines. In addition, she regularly conducts awareness classes for the general public and school children, spreading practical knowledge on healthy eating and lifestyle. Her mission is to empower individuals to improve their health through simple, personalised, and enjoyable dietary changes.

Mrs. Soniya K Joseph

Clinical Dietitian
Diabetes Educator LOWFODMAP Certified
HCPC-Registered

Our Goals

Community Nutrition Forum Kerala (CNF Kerala) was founded to bring together dietitians committed to advancing health and nutrition across the state. As a collective, the forum blends scientific expertise with cultural sensitivity, ensuring that nutrition guidance is both evidence‑based and practical for everyday life. Its mission is not only to educate but also to empower communities, professionals, and policymakers to make informed choices. The following goals highlight CNF Kerala’s vision and the pathways through which it seeks to create lasting impact.

Strengthen Professional Collaboration

Build a strong network of dietitians, healthcare providers, educators, and researchers.
Share knowledge through joint projects, publications, and training programs.
Create a unified voice for nutrition professionals in Kerala and beyond.

Translate scientific research into simple, practical guidance for families and individuals.
Conduct awareness sessions in schools, workplaces, and local communities.
Fight misinformation and promote culturally relevant, sustainable dietary practices.

Advocate for evidence‑based nutrition policies at state and national levels.
Partner with government and NGOs to design and implement community health initiatives.
Ensure nutrition becomes a central pillar in public health planning and preventive care.

Empower Communities through Nutrition Education

Influence Policy and Community Health Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CNF Kerala?

CNF Kerala is a collective of dietitians promoting nutritional awareness and healthier lifestyles.

How can I participate?

You can join our webinars and expos to engage with professionals and share insights.

Who are the leaders?

Our founding members and executive members are leading many programs here. However, all our members share ideas for upcoming programs. You may please submit a query on the contact form and someone will get in touch.

What are CNF's goals?

Our goals focus on public health advocacy, nutritional education, and community empowerment through various events.

Why connect with CNF?

Connecting with CNF offers opportunities for collaboration, professional growth, and impactful community initiatives.

“Community Nutrition Forum (CNF) Kerala is doing commendable work in addressing one of the most critical yet often neglected aspects of public health — nutrition literacy. Their sincere efforts in combating misinformation, promoting evidence-based dietary practices, and empowering dietitians are highly appreciable. Initiatives like CNF are essential in tackling the rising burden of obesity and non-communicable diseases in our society. I wish the team continued success in their mission of building a healthier Kerala.”

★★★★★

Dr. Chandni R

MD PhD FICP FRCP(Edin) FAMS
Principal, Government Medical College, Wayanad
Formerly Professor of Medicine & HOD,
Emergency Medicine, Government Medical College, Kozhikode

"The community forum session are well conducted. Choosing apt topics which are need of the hour. Congratulations on the great initiative. Wishing you all success. A great initiative by Dr. Sripriya Shaji and team."