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Nutrition Committee

SAIA’s Nutrition Committee is dedicated to generating evidence-based research around the role of nutrition in chronic GI conditions and creating high-quality resources to support patients, caregivers, and providers in navigating diet & nutrition related concerns.

The Nutrition Committee is led by Dr. Maitreyi Raman and Shehnaz Bashir, RD.

Read Dr. Maitreyi Raman's Bio
Dr. Maitreyi Raman is a Gastroenterologist and Physician Nutrition Specialist, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Calgary, and medical director of Alberta’s Collaboration of Excellence in Nutrition and Digestive Diseases. Dr. Raman has clinical and research interests in diet, nutrition, and lifestyle as therapeutic targets for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. She investigates using dietary patterns and components in the management of digestive health disorders, and investigates the role of diet to modulate the gut microbiome, intestinal permeability, and brain-gut connections in IBD and IBS. In addition, Dr. Raman explores the role of the brain-gut axis through mind body interventions, and its impact on chronic disease outcomes. She was the recipient of the Crohn’s Colitis Canada Women in IBD, outstanding researcher award in 2021.
Read Shehnaz Bashir, RD's Bio

Specialist IBD Dietitian and Owner of The IBD Dietitian Ltd

Shehnaz is a Specialist IBD Dietitian with 12 years of experience working across the UK National Health Service and private practice. She supports people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis through one to one dietetic care, helping them understand their condition, feel confident with food, and rebuild trust in their bodies.

Her work spans clinical support, product development, and ongoing involvement in IBD research. She brings a blend of scientific knowledge, practical experience, and a deep understanding of the lived realities of chronic illness, drawing on her own experience of living with IBD and an Ostomy.

As the founder of The IBD Dietitian Ltd, Shehnaz is committed to improving access to evidence informed, culturally sensitive nutrition guidance. Joining the SAIA Nutrition Committee reflects her dedication to ensuring that people from all communities feel represented, understood, and supported in their IBD journey.