Meet Sonia of Sincerely, by Paryani!

Friday, October 18, 2024

Paryani Foods specializes in gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free sweets that are made with all natural ingredients, but you wouldn't be able to tell that from the flavor of these sweet treats! After embarking on her health journey and having to change her diet, Sonia Paryani decided to share her take on sweet tooth cravings with her community, and we think they're a hit!

How did your baking journey start? And how did that lead you to creating sincerely, BY PARYANI?

My baking journey began out of necessity. After being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, I spent three weeks in the ICU, followed by years on steroids and biologics. Despite these treatments, I still found myself returning to the hospital every six months. The side effects were overwhelming, and I knew I needed to take control. That’s when I turned to diet changes, following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), which led me to bake using clean, simple ingredients—no grains, no dairy, no refined sugar.
As my health improved dramatically, I started sharing my creations with family and friends, who were amazed at how delicious they were despite being so clean. Encouraged by their excitement and the positive feedback, I decided to take a leap of faith and create sincerely, BY PARYANI. What started as a personal healing journey has now become my way of helping others through wholesome, clean, and tasty baked goods

What have been some of your favorite moments since starting Sincerely?

One of my absolute favorite memories is when a little 2-year-old came running up to me at the farmers market. His eyes lit up as he excitedly told me he had eaten three slices of cake! We had made him two special birthday cakes—our chocolate coconut cake and lemon coconut cake with real buttercream icing. The joy in his face was priceless. And it’s not just the kids! Many men are skeptical when we offer samples, especially after hearing that our products are gluten, dairy, grain, and refined sugar-free. They hesitate, but once they taste, they’re hooked—often buying multiple flavors and becoming regulars. I love being part of this community, listening to customers’ stories, especially when they share their health journeys. Some even feel hopeful after hearing my story and return to celebrate their own wins along the way. That’s the heart of what we do—being a part of people's lives.

What is your process like when coming up with new recipes?

It’s like a puzzle, and I love it! I start by thinking of traditional treats people love but may have given up due to dietary restrictions. From there, I play around with ingredients like coconut flour, almond flour, honey, and organic coconut oil. I’ll tweak it until I get the flavor and texture just right, while keeping it nutrient-dense. My family always gets the first taste, and trust me, they’re tough critics—if they love it, I know it’s a winner!

Do any particular spots around Atlanta inspire your creations?

That’s such a fun question! Atlanta is full of inspiration! One of my favorite things to do is wander through the supermarket aisles, searching for healthy, nutritious baked goods.I’m often inspired by walking down supermarket aisles, scanning shelves for baked goods that promise nutrition but fall short on taste or contain an overwhelming number of ingredients. It got me thinking: why do these traditional favorites need 40 or 50 ingredients, many of which you can't pronounce? I decided to remake these classic treats with just a handful of ingredients that are wholesome and nourishing, yet still indulgent. My goal became to perfect these recipes, so you can truly have your cake and eat it, without sacrificing flavor or health.

What markets around town can we find you at?

You can find us every Saturday at Peachtree Road Farmers Market and Marietta Square Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon. On Sundays, we are at Grant Park Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Avondale Estate Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. These markets are such vibrant spaces filled with local flavor, and we love connecting with our community there, sharing our clean and delicious baked goods with people who care about what they put into their bodies!

What is your #1 tip for baking at home?

My number one tip? Simplicity. Stick to quality ingredients—organic if possible—and let them do the work. It’s amazing what five clean ingredients can do when they’re perfectly balanced. And don’t be afraid to experiment! Baking should be fun, not intimidating. Start small, tweak as you go, and soon enough, you’ll have your own delicious, healthy masterpieces.