At Impossible Bakers, they are deeply committed to well-being through conscious eating. Under their motto “We make the impossible possible,” they offer low-carb products with no added sugars.
Today, we sit down with Ari, founder of Impossible Bakers, to talk about the origin of her project and her motivation to contribute to people’s well-being.
Hello Ari, as co-founder of IB, can you tell us what you do?
Impossible Bakers is the startup that is evolving the food industry with real food that looks after people’s health, especially those with diseases such as diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, among others.
We are the first low-carb bakery and pastry shop in Spain that daily prepares products with no added sugars, low in carbohydrates, high in protein, and most of them also gluten-free.
How was Impossible Bakers born?
This project was born in September 2021 when four passionate entrepreneurs realized that no one was producing specific food for people with metabolic pathologies caused by excess glucose. Each of the co-founders came to this type of “low-carb” diet through different personal stories (obesity, digestive problems, sports nutrition…), but we all agreed that there was a need to provide healthy bakery options made with top-quality ingredients while ensuring maximum enjoyment in people’s lives.
What is a KETO or LOW-CARB diet?
The word keto comes from the English “ketogenic,” and refers to the metabolic state in which the body uses fat as an energy source instead of glucose. The ketogenic diet is based on a high fat intake (75% of daily calories), moderate protein (20%), and low carbohydrates (5%).
When we restrict carbohydrate intake, our body begins to generate ketone bodies, which are responsible for using fats as an energy substrate; this process is called “ketosis.”
This diet is usually recommended for people with obesity, diabetes, or insulin resistance, who must keep their blood glucose levels under control and can use fat as an energy source instead of sugars.
A Low-Carb diet is similar to Keto but is more flexible regarding the amount of carbohydrates that can be consumed per day. Keto is usually around 20g of carbohydrates per day, while Low-Carb can range between 50-100g. A low-carb diet is very common for people with a sedentary lifestyle. It helps minimize body fat accumulation and prevent insulin resistance.
Where is your bakery located?
Since we started in 2021, we have been in different bakeries, always adapting to the project’s demand. We first started in a very small bakery in Barcelona; after a few months, we had to move to a larger facility in Malgrat de Mar, and now we are just moving to even larger premises to meet the growing demand for healthy low-carb products.
Where do you sell your products?
Impossible Bakers was born as an online store that delivered door-to-door via refrigerated courier service. Through the website, we reach the entire Peninsula (Spain + Portugal), the Balearic Islands, Andorra, and France. Currently, besides maintaining our online sales channel, we have expanded our network of partner stores and are in more than 100 shops nationwide. The map of stores that sell Impossible Bakers products can be found at this link:
https://impossiblebakers.com/pages/donde-estamos
How do you differentiate yourselves with so much offer in the market?
Currently, the “healthy” food sector is full of ultra-processed options with many additives. “Light” products abound on supermarket shelves, focusing on empty calories. At Impossible Bakers, we advocate for real food, with healthy ingredients, no added sugars, rich in high biological value protein, and with healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil. Our recipes are designed to have the lowest possible glycemic impact; thus, they are suitable products for people with diabetes and other diseases of metabolic origin.
What desserts or snacks can we find at IB?
We offer a very wide range of products, both bakery and pastry. From all kinds of breads, sponge cakes, muffins… to more indulgent options like coulants, cakes, or brownies. We also have savory options like crackers or pizzas. Additionally, we have a very extensive assortment of complementary foods such as granolas, chocolates, jams, protein bars, etc. And for those eagerly awaiting the Christmas holidays, they will be delighted to know that we will also have healthy panettones and nougats.
Do you think we can retrain the brain to stop associating pleasure with less healthy food?
Absolutely. Until now, we have had a food industry where everything healthy tasted like cardboard, and everything bad was ultra-palatable. Our job is to bring the world of pleasure into the realm of real food; that is why it is so important to work from enjoyment combined with nutritional knowledge. Gradually, our brain will understand that it is not necessary to eat with so many additives or so much sugar, and that real flavors can be very pleasant. Most importantly, it is how those foods make us feel afterward, once we are digesting, and there is no comparison. The brain-gut connection is our great ally, as a non-inflamed digestive system is the best sponsor for our brain to ask for more of what makes it feel good holistically.
How can IB help patients undergoing cancer treatments?
There is scientific evidence that the metabolism of tumor cells is altered in cancer and, therefore, it is believed that diet can play a fundamental role in cancer prevention and treatment. This is a very active area of research, and it is expected that nutritional therapies can be implemented in clinical practice in the coming years. Currently, oncologists recommend specific diets to some patients depending on their treatment or the type of cancer they have. These are usually low in carbohydrates, rich in fiber, protein, and healthy lipids, or even a ketogenic diet to possibly help prevent metastasis or improve the effect of the treatment.
This is where Impossible Bakers comes in, as we can make the patient’s life as “normal” as possible, while providing dietary options that meet their needs.
We also believe that, on an emotional level, it is very important for the patient to be able to enjoy food, and even more so on special occasions such as their birthday. We offer them the opportunity to eat a piece of low-sugar cake, because life is meant to be celebrated while we take care of ourselves.
Why is research important to IB?
At Impossible Bakers, we fight every day to prevent 21st-century diseases. We do it from the kitchen, with our aprons on, but our contribution needs much more support.
Research is crucial for us to better understand the origin of the pathology, how it develops, how to cure it, and how to prevent it. We will closely follow all the scientific advances that the FERO Foundation and its network of researchers discover, because together we can go very far.
