Health and lifestyle entrepreneur Nadja Piatka has dedicated her life to helping others through diet and exercise.
This is the new seventy-six—at least for health and lifestyle entrepreneur Nadja Piatka. The Canadian healthful foods mogul’s humble kitchen experiments and $100 leap of faith led to life-changing deals with McDonald’s, Subway, and Tim Hortons, along with an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2004. Since then, Piatka has written bestselling cookbooks, launched Holista Foods, and accrued 324,000-plus followers on Instagram.
1. Forever Young: How did you first become interested in health and lifestyle?
Nadja Piatka: As a teenager and young adult, I struggled with my weight and body image. Growing up, I was always surrounded by food; my parents owned a grocery store and later a restaurant, and we lived above both. With food always at the center of my life, my relationship with eating became complicated. I fell into a cycle of yo-yo dieting; thankfully, those days are behind me. I’ve maintained a healthy weight for many years by following my 80/20* approach to eating. It’s a balanced, sustainable lifestyle that’s made all the difference.
2. How did you land in Buffalo?
I’m originally from Alberta, Canada. I came to Buffalo as part of a delegation on a trade mission with the Canadian government called Super NEBS to discuss cross border trading. That is when I met my future husband, Douglas Smith, at a cocktail party he was hosting for the delegation at the [then] Albright Knox Art Gallery. We have now been married for twenty-three years living in Buffalo, a city I truly enjoy living in!
3. Your recipes have made you a millionaire; what was a memorable first?
Relief to be able to answer the phone without worrying it was a bill collector. I went through a difficult time with my two children after my husband left me for another woman. We had to move out of our house, and I could not find a job. That is when I decided since no one would hire me, I’d hire myself. I started baking in my kitchen and selling my muffins and brownies to small coffee shops. I started with a $100 investment and within a year, I outsourced my production and started a newspaper column about healthy cooking. I published my first cookbook and my first big customer was McDonald’s Canada. The cranberry orange muffin that I developed in my kitchen is still on the McDonald’s menu. I sold the recipe rights to Quaker years ago, but it’s always a nice feeling going into any McDonald’s in Canada and seeing my muffins in the display case.
4. How long did it take to create your low-fat brownie (Subway) and muffin recipe (McDonald’s), respectively?
It was more of a matter of satisfying my own cravings. I always loved muffins and brownies. I couldn’t find any that were healthy and tasted good, so I started experimenting, which I always enjoyed doing. The muffins took longer since the focus at that time was on reducing fat, which affects the moisture and mouthfeel of baked goods. For the brownies, I used pureed dates, which reduced the amount of fat and sugar and naturally added to the deep color and sweetness of the brownies. Years ago, fat was demonized and sugar was not considered bad for you, but I always felt too much sugar was not good and always looked for a way to reduce or replace it in a recipe.
5. What was it like telling your story on the Oprah Winfrey Show?
Life changing. I couldn’t believe it when her producer called me to be a guest. At first, I thought one of my friends was playing a joke on me because I used to carry in my wallet a card that I wrote on that said, “I am going to be a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show.” I’ve always been a believer in clearly defining my goals, and I still do that to this day.
Oprah and her team used to buy my healthy brownies from the Subway restaurant across the street from Harpo Studios in Chicago. They loved them! Oprah was moved by my story of overcoming adversity, and that’s how I was invited to be a guest. That appearance opened so many doors for me, including invitations to appear on other national shows. When Oprah believes in you, magic happens.
6. You’ve authored several books and launched another health foods company, Holista Foods in 2016. Do you sleep?
I retired from Holista two years ago, and the company has moved overseas, but our pasta was great tasting, with a low glycemic index so it did not spike your blood sugar—ideal for people with diabetes. I try to get as much sleep as possible, but my mind is always racing with new ideas, which I often get in the middle of the night. I have a pad and pen on my side table to write everything down, or I won’t remember in the morning. I’ve learned how to write in the dark.
7. What’s next for you in business and life?
As much as I tried, I was bored being retired. I decided to do something totally different from my business food career and something I knew very little about, and that was social media. I started my Instagram account (@nadja_eat_move_glow) in November 2024 with one follower, my husband. At seventy-five, I stepped into the competitive world of Instagram, far outside my comfort zone. I reached out to Caralyn Mirand, a successful Buffalo influencer, for guidance. She generously shared her time, answered all my questions, and has encouraged me every step of the way. Her mentorship reminded me that you’re never too old to learn from someone who knows more—even if they’re younger. Guidance, encouragement, and a willingness to ask for help can open doors at any stage of life.
Piatka’s 80/20 Method
*My 80/20 diet plan, which I describe in further detail on my website, nadjaeatmoveglow.com, is a balanced, sustainable approach to healthy living and long-term weight management. By focusing on nourishing your body with high-protein, high-fiber, low-glycemic, and low-sugar foods eighty percent of the time—you fuel yourself with the nutrients needed for energy, strength, and optimal health. The remaining twenty percent allows you the freedom to indulge in your favorite treats without guilt, making this plan flexible and enjoyable. This mindful balance helps you reach your desired weight and maintain it effortlessly, turning healthy eating into a lasting lifestyle—not a temporary fix. — Nadja Piatka
link