Growing up I developed an unhealthy relationship with food. My self esteem and body image were greatly affected by my relationship with food, driving me to a restrictive diet. As I got older, it became apparent that healthy relationships in all aspects of life come from smarter choices. It was this very life lesson paired with my love for candy that inspired my quest to create SmartSweets.
As my quest begun, I learned that in addition to our food choices affecting self esteem and body image, our physical health is deeply affected by what we eat for years to come. This realization was made through a conversation with my grandmother at her kitchen table. I learned through living life with a diet high in sugar, she has developed health conditions that restrict her on a daily basis. My grandmothers experience ignited my own confirmation that the excess sugar found in the foods we consume is detrimental to our quality of life and ultimately, our happiness.
I became obsessed with gaining knowledge about the impacts of sugar while simultaneously recipe testing in my kitchen to develop SmartSweets gummy bear formulas. I learned that every day Canadians consume an average 104 grams of sugar, a whopping 78 grams over the Heart & Stroke Foundation and World Health Organizations ideal daily recommended sugar intake1. While naturally occurring sugars are processed in the body, added sugar lacks the nutritive value that natural sugars contain.2 I was shocked to learn that there are more than 70 health disorders that are connected to excess sugar consumption3 and began to realize how deeply rooted sugars negative impact is in affecting our daily lives. On a global scale, three of the ten leading causes of death worldwide (heart disease, stroke, diabetes) development’s is in direct correlation with excess sugar consumption4.
Absolutely blown away by the global epidemic that is sugar, my quest to create the first smart candy was fueled further with the belief that we should be able to enjoy our favorite foods without sacrificing our health.
Candy isn’t simply a treat, it’s a source of joy.
In creating SmartSweets, I knew that SmartSweets was creating the opportunity for people to experience the same joy from candy- without the sugar content.
One year later is quickly approaching from the time I found myself recipe testing in my kitchen (with countless failed attempts), clinging onto the relentless belief that there was a way to make smart candy a reality and that it would hold meaningful impact in peoples lives. At the one-year milestone mark, our initial product’s, sweet & sour gummy bears that boast just 2 g sugar and a whopping 26 g plant-based fibre for the whole bag will be available across North America.
SmartSweets will launch in BC retailers mid-June with a focus on natural grocers and supplement stores as well as E-Commerce Canada/US-wide at www.smartsweets.com. This marks the beginning of SmartSweets journey in empowering others to live their happiest lives by making smarter choices. At the end of the day, It’s about kicking sugar but keeping candy and creating a movement based on smarter choices.
Tara Bosch is the founder and one-woman-show behind SmartSweets. She is based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Source Nutraceutical is excited to be providing Fulfillment and Warehousing services for SmartSweets.
1 http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.9201361/k.47CB/Sugar_heart_disease_and_stroke.htm
2 http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2011003/article/11540-eng.htm
3 http://www.guide2health.net/2012/10/shocking-statistics-about-sugar-consumption/
