Elze Schaap, 35, founded Tante Toos Suikerloos to produce responsible, sugar-free candy. Her mission? Help every child in the Netherlands embrace a healthier lifestyle: 'The younger you start eating well, the better.'
WERE YOU RAISED ON HEALTHY EATING?
'My mother cooked fresh meals daily, with minimal sweets and no soft drinks, so nutritious choices were the norm in my childhood. That shifted when I lived independently—I lived on white pistolets with filet Américain and onions, chugged Red Bull, and smoked a pack a day. As a fashion and beauty editor at a magazine, I gradually cleaned up my diet. The worst was occasional microwave dinners after long workdays. I always wanted to explore nutrition deeper, and once I did, I was stunned by hidden sugars in everyday foods. That flipped a switch—I overhauled my eating habits completely.'
DID YOU NOTICE A DIFFERENCE RIGHT AWAY?
'Actually, I got sick soon after. I dropped 10 pounds in three months and wasn't overweight to begin with. Then came severe stomach pain and plummeting energy—I could barely lift my two-year-old son. Hospital tests revealed ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune condition causing chronic colon inflammation. It likely surfaced because I switched to 'heavier' foods like whole grains and fiber; my gut, accustomed to white flour and pasta, wasn't ready. Medication was prescribed, and my doctor said I could eat anything—even daily Coke. But I rejected that. Food as medicine is my belief—what you feed your gut profoundly impacts its health. The diagnosis fueled my passion, leading me to orthomolecular therapy and deeper nutrition studies.'
Read the entire interview with Elze in the January issue of Santé from page 20.
About Elze
Elze Schaap (35) studied fashion at the Artemis Academy in Amsterdam and spent years as fashion and beauty editor for CosmoGirl! magazine. She left to chase her passion. Today, she's growing Tante Toos Suikerloos, sharing expertise on kids' healthy eating and crafting lactose-, gluten-, and sugar-free sweets. Elze lives in Rotterdam with her five-year-old son.
Text: Rianne Seepers | Photography: Bart Honingh | Styling: Linda Huiberts
