Startup of the Week: Soulful - Guilt-free food for the health-conscious

• Soulful offers a range of gluten-free and low-carb baked items suitable for different types of diets

Gone are the days when Saudis gave little attention to health and diet.
They are now far more aware of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, partly evidenced by the growing number of gyms in the Kingdom.
Also on the rise are businesses offering healthy diet options and meal plans with young Saudi entrepreneurs taking full advantage of the internet and mobile apps to run their own online ventures.
Soulful is one such example. The online bakery, cofounded by Saudis Abdulilah Al-Nagadi, Intissar Bakr, Yasser Al-Eitani, and Enas Hashani, offers low-carb, gluten-free, ketogenic and paleo products.
Bakr switched to a ketogenic diet after learning about its benefits and began making low-carb desserts and bread for her family and friends, who encouraged her to launch the enterprise.
Entrepreneur Al-Eitani was introduced to the bakery around a year ago through Al-Nagadi and, impressed with the quality and taste of the products, suggested
turning it from a home-based setup into a full-fledged operation. “We officially launched Soulful in September 2019, but the idea began in January of that year,” Al-Eitani said.
Soulful offers a range of gluten-free and low-carb baked items suitable for different types of diets. “We are still growing and adding more items to our menu to accommodate everybody’s needs with a focus on the health benefits,” he said.
What makes Soulful stand out from other bakeries is the nutritional value of its products. “Some unconventional ingredients provide the necessary nutrients that are usually missed out while dieting,” added Al-Eitani.
“So, if you or your kids have a sweet tooth and are worried about sugar consumption, you do not have to think twice. You can grab a brownie, a cheesecake or any of our desserts without the guilt of eating the typical sugar-filled products.”
Soulful also has options for those who have health conditions with restrictive diets, such as certain types of diabetes or celiac disease.
“Of course, we recommend consulting your doctor before making major dietary changes,” he said.
However, several certified nutrition experts have given their seal of approval to the products after testing them.
“Instead of the typical flour, sugar, and salt being the main ingredients, our bread is made with almond flour and is fused with prebiotics to support useful bacteria in our guts. They are also filling enough to prevent overeating.”
Soulful uses Instagram and WhatsApp to do its business and some items are available in local bakeries. Plans are in the pipeline to expand outside of its current base in Jeddah. Details on Instagram @soulful.ksa.