Mindful Nutrition and Sustainability in Focus

Asst. Prof. Dr. Nazife Hürer Bulunç, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Cyprus International University (CIU), shared insights on raising awareness and promoting nutritional consciousness in society.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Bulunç emphasized the importance of presenting scientific information in a clear and practical manner that can be integrated into daily life. She highlighted that individual steps also play a crucial role in raising collective awareness. Among these personal actions, she pointed out the significance of habits such as reading food labels, maintaining blood sugar levels through regular snacks, keeping a food diary, and seeking professional guidance.

She also addressed common nutritional misconceptions prevalent in society. Skipping meals is not an effective weight-loss method, and not all carbohydrates and fats are harmful, she explained. Additionally, not all plant-based foods are necessarily healthy, and healthy eating does not have to be expensive.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Bulunç noted that Cyprus’s traditional dietary culture aligns well with the Mediterranean diet. She stressed the need to find a balance that integrates modern nutritional approaches, and suggested that traditional recipes can be made healthier through updates, with support for local products playing a key role in this process.
Pointing to the negative impacts of island life on youth—such as fast food consumption, irregular meals, and lack of physical activity—she suggested that education, digital solutions, and personal counseling can help improve these trends.

She also drew attention to widespread issues in Cyprus, including obesity, low fruit and vegetable consumption, calcium deficiency, and declining breakfast habits. As solutions, she proposed implementing nutrition education in schools, providing healthy menu options, establishing community-based counseling centers, and increasing access to physical activity spaces.

Looking toward the future of the dietetics profession, Bulunç predicted a growing focus on personalized nutrition, AI-powered tools, wearable technologies, and sustainability. To new professionals in the field, she offered the advice: “Invest in learning, not just information.” She underscored that empathy, communication, and a scientific approach are essential for success in the profession.