How can a kitchen turn into a laboratory of long-term health and balance? Orsolya Szathmári, once a language teacher and now a naturopath, discovered during her years in Switzerland – while raising two children – that food is more than nourishment: it is the foundation of health, balance, and togetherness. Today she works with international clients, guiding them through therapeutic diets, convinced that conscious eating shapes not only the body but also the mind, and can play a pivotal role in preventing chronic disease. In our conversation, she explains why fat-phobia is misleading, how meat consumption can be compatible with sustainability in an age of climate crisis, and why she believes that in twenty years nutrition will be part of medicine as a form of personalized therapy.
What was the turning point in your life when you realized the key to health lies in food?
„This turning point came when, after moving several times, I settled down in Switzerland and spent a longer period of time at home with my two children. I cooked hot meals twice a day, as well as preparing nutritious breakfasts and snacks, always striving to use local, seasonal, and preferably organic ingredients. It was important to me to serve meals that would give them energy, support their performance at school, and contribute to our family’s well-being in our new environment. It was then when I truly understood that food is not just nourishment, but the foundation of health, security, and family cohesion.”
Later, as her children grew older, she studied naturopathy and nutritional therapy in Geneva – a formative chapter that deepened her belief that the right diet can be decisive in managing chronic disease. Her experiences in Hungary, Finland, and Switzerland all shaped her outlook. She notes that the relationship between food and health varies from culture to culture, yet “quality ingredients and awareness are universal.” She also stresses the importance of honoring local traditions with openness and flexibility – only then can eating become a genuine healing force.
Orsolya Szathmári
You advocate an animal-based ketogenic diet. As a therapeutic method, where do you see its true strength?
“The animal-based ketogenic diet provides a therapeutic approach. It contains high amounts of fat, almost no carbohydrates, and sufficient protein for the body’s needs. Its primary aim is to ensure sustained ketosis, reduce inflammatory processes, and heal intestinal permeability. It relies on carefully selected ingredients – mainly the meat and fat of pasture-raised animals as well as sufficient offal. The stricter version should be followed until symptoms subside and lab results improve.”
The ketogenic diet’s impact can be felt not only physically but also in overall mood and well-being, and in some cases, it serves as a complementary tool that noticeably enhances quality of life. Orsolya recalls one client who had spent decades in the shadow of bipolar disorder and depression, relying on daily medication while also struggling with chronic issues like eczema, joint pain, and insomnia. After switching to a meat- and fat-based ketogenic diet, her symptoms eased within weeks, and after six months her energy and mood had noticeably improved. Stories like this highlight the potential of diet, but they also remind us that:
it is always advisable to consult a professional before undertaking such dietary changes.
Ketosis – when the body, and especially the brain, uses ketones instead of glucose for energy – is one of the diet’s core mechanisms. But experience shows this alone is not always enough. In autoimmune conditions, for instance, it is crucial to eliminate foods that trigger inflammation. According to Orsolya, once these burdensome ingredients are excluded, the diet can help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
Orsolya Szathmári
What misconceptions do you most often encounter regarding high-fat, meat-based diets?
“I often hear claims that a high-fat diet is inherently unhealthy and leads to heart disease, that it inevitably causes obesity, that the absence of fiber is harmful in the long run, or that the body simply cannot function without carbohydrates.”
Her experience tells a different story. She has seen high-fat, animal-based diets help people normalize their weight and ease chronic symptoms. In her view, the diet helps regulate itself – patients naturally gravitate toward their optimal weight – and in some cases a temporary reduction in fiber intake may even bring noticeable improvement. Still, every body responds differently, therefore, when making dietary changes, a personalized approach and consultation with a specialist are essential.
But how can an animal-based diet be reconciled with the challenges of climate change? For Orsolya, the answer lies in quality and mindset. She believes that when the focus is on locally sourced, sustainable products, such a diet does not necessarily conflict with an eco-conscious lifestyle. What matters is avoiding excess and making thoughtful choices: smaller portions of better-quality animal products paired with seasonal, local produce.
As she puts it:
“An animal-based ketogenic diet and sustainable living can coexist if the emphasis is on quality, supporting local farmers, and long-term health preservation.”
Is it possible to follow a healing diet without losing the joy of eating and the sense of community?
“The beauty of healing diets is that they bring together health, joy, and community experience. Eating is more than a biological necessity: it reflects our traditions, our memories, and our identity, and it doesn’t have to feel restrictive if we approach it with creativity.”
In her view, countless innovative recipes now demonstrate that healing diets are not about sacrifice: dishes made with wholesome ingredients can still capture the essence of traditional flavors. And the sense of community remains intact – her social media group inspires more than 1,300 members with recipes and experiences, showing that a diet can unite rather than isolate. She emphasizes that diets should be flexible, personal, and never seen as deprivation. “If we view a healing diet as an opportunity – a new adventure that enriches not only our health but also our creativity and relationships – then meals remain joyful, communal experiences.”
Orsolya Szathmári
How do you envision the role of nutrition and health preservation twenty years from now?
“I believe that in twenty years, nutrition will function as a form of personalized medicine, integrated with healthcare, technology, and a more community-focused mindset.”
„We are heading towards a future where staying healthy is not a sacrifice, but part of a conscious, joyful, and community-building lifestyle.”
Her optimistic vision is fueled by scientific research and advances in technology, which are increasingly showing how profoundly nutrition influences both body and mind. Meanwhile, social attitudes are shifting: instead of mass-produced foods, quality and sustainability are gaining ground, forcing the industry to adapt. Social media and smart devices add to this shift, ensuring that reliable information, recipes, and inspiration are within everyone’s reach.
No wonder she shares a similarly empowering message with Longevity Magazine readers: “With the power of a personalized diet and lifestyle, you can take control of your health – whether it’s preventing autoimmune disease, managing weight, easing menopause symptoms, or supporting chronic conditions.”
“Proper nutrition, regular movement, stress management, and quality sleep together form the foundation of a long, balanced, and joyful life.”
Her final encouragement is simple: don’t get lost in the flood of contradictory information. Every major change begins with one small step. And that step can be taken today.
Author: Révész Bogi
(Featured image: Orsolya Szathmári)
