Change for the better

Kamilla Omarzay, Founder of The Snack Society, made a business out of her intolerance to refined food.

For most of my adult life, I suffered from all sorts of digestive problems, including bloating, heartburn and stomach cramps. In 2015, I was diagnosed with a long list of foods I am intolerant to, including wheat, dairy and sugar. Removing these things from my diet proved to be even harder after I made a visit to the local supermarket and strolled through their 'gluten-free, dairy-free and organic' aisle, only to find that products were full of refined sugar, artificial preservatives and additives.

While scrolling through Facebook, I came across a recipe for coconut, date and almond balls made with all-natural ingredients. I made them and it was love at first bite. I experimented with different flavours and shared the results with family, friends and colleagues. None of them believed that they were all-natural and healthy.

One of my fears was baking without butter and flour. However, the more I experimented with different ingredients and free-from recipes, I was amazed that for every naughty food craving, there is a natural, good-for-you answer. This was the journey that inspired me to create The Snack Society in 2016.

Advice to first-timers

Being vegan doesn't equal being healthy. Ask yourself first what your objective is. Know that and believe in it, don't blindly follow the trend just because Gwyneth Paltrow has gone vegan.

Cooking must-haves

Coconut oil, cacao powder, dates and nut butter. If you have a sweet tooth, these will help make delicious

vegan treats!

Benefits of going vegan

It lowers cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. By removing animal products from our diet, we can contribute to reducing the impact on our environment. The production of plant-based foods is a more efficient use of our resources, as it requires less energy from fossil fuels as well as less land and water.

Favourite restaurants

Little Erth by Nabz&G, Wild & the Moon and the vegan pizzas at BiCE Ristorante.