Note from Heather: As a paleo teenager, I love finding other paleo teenagers and college-age paleo bloggers. I’ve been blogging here for nearly two years now, and I’ve been blessed to be able to connect with many other paleo food bloggers in my age group. The Paleo: The Next Generation series is meant to highlight their blogs and accomplishments while proving that you can eat paleo – and be a blogger! – at any age!
Today’s interview is with Sadie of Goodies Against the Grain. Guys, she is THIRTEEN! Her blog and recipes are amazing; she is very talented!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and how you found paleo/real food eating?
Hi! I’m Sadie, a 13-year-old real-food blogger, in love with baking paleo treats! I started eating gluten-free in 2011, when I was nine years old. I had mysteriously started getting constant stomach aches, nausea, and fatigue. This lasted for months and months. My mom took me to over a dozen doctors, none of whom could find what was wrong with me. One day, my mom decided that I should try going gluten-free. My whole family was vegetarian and health-consious, but I always ate lots of bread, pasta, etc. Within weeks of going gluten-free, my stomach aches began to lessen and I gained a lot more strength!
Q: How did you get into blogging and what’s been your favorite thing about it?
I’ve always loved baked goods and sweets, but all the gluten-free ones in stores tasted terrible and dry. So… I started baking my own! All the recipes I made were from paleo blogs, and I became really interested by the idea of not eating any grains. After making dozens of recipes from other people’s blogs, I started developing my own recipes. After about a year, I’d made so many that I started my own blog, Goodies Against The Grain! Over time, I started realizing that all grains upset my stomach. Now, I eat about 80% paleo, and I feel great! My favorite thing about blogging is meeting all these amazing, supporting bloggers through social media and their blogs. I was surprised to find out how many young people had gone through the same things as me, and healed themselves through healthy food.
Q: What’s the best thing about being a paleo teenager?
Honestly, I think the best part is not eating all the junk food and sugar, and being conscious of what I fuel my body with. It can be really easy (believe me- I do it sometimes!) to say “yes” to unhealthy food, just because a friend is eating it. But I can always remind myself that in the long run, my body will be much happier if I don’t eat the junk.
Q: What’s the hardest thing about being a paleo teenager?
It is hard to eat something different than everybody else. Some people believe that eating gluten-free or paleo is “just a fad diet.” But the truth is, it is not a fad!! It is a lifestyle, a choice, a healing remedy. People don’t understand that until they try it, and see how much better they feel! Everybody I’ve met who is gluten-free always says how much healthier and stronger they now feel.
Q: What’s your favorite recipe on your blog and why?
Hmmm… I think it’s got to be my Grain-Free Chocolate Cake! It is a rich, dense, and chocolaty, with a luscious maple whipped cream topping. I made it for my brother’s sixteenth birthday, and it was a huge hit! My family now believes grain-free treats taste better than regular ones!
Q: What advice do you have for other young people for eating healthier in the teen to twenty something world?
Get creative and make eating paleo fun! You can try to create your own recipes, and share them with others. Also, make sure you don’t overdo your favorite foods! If you keep healthy, wholesome ingredients in your fridge at all times, then it is so easy to eat real, delicious foods whenever you get hungry. Then, you don’t have to resort to an unhealthy option.
Q: Any other words of wisdom?
Find what way of eating is best for you! Maybe eating lots of meat doesn’t do well with your body, or maybe you can have some rice on occasion. Remember: everybody’s body is different, and no one reacts the same to a food as another person might. Do what feels good for you! Enjoy your food- every bite ☺
Follow Sadie on her blog, Goodies Against the Grain, and on Facebook and Instagram.
