When I was little, I wanted to be a dolphin trainer. I also went through a phase when I dreamed of becoming a hairdresser. A doctor. A magician. A pirate. A trapeze artist. Even a phone salesperson. But I never felt the calling to become a veterinarian.
Of course, this article isn’t about me.
Anna Grífols knew exactly what she wanted. At a young age, she decided she wanted to heal animals—and she almost achieved it. But when, shortly before applying for the degree, she read that the first year would involve dissections, she had to redirect her life plan.
Various reasons led her to study for a Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (URV). The one I like best is “to understand myself better, too.” Ah, if only we always acted with this goal in mind… So yes, Anna is a sports dietitian-nutritionist (she prefers not to talk much about her master’s degrees and postgraduate studies; interpret that as you wish).
Pau and Anna, co-founders of Salssa
She is also a single mother, a circumstance that made her passionate about sport and led her to devote herself to it. Having a child without help or any kind of stable schedule propelled the creation of Nutriexper, the first company specializing in sports nutrition that also allowed her to care for a new life alongside her professional one. In the midst of the whirlwind, one thought remained unwavering and guided her efforts: “I want to be very good at something.”
Anna has always enjoyed cooking with whatever foods she has on hand. But what does that have to do with sport? Why is it so important for athletes to maintain a good diet? “First and foremost, because it’s health,” she replies. Nutrition, hydration, rest, and training are our four fundamental pillars for physical health, but until quite recently, nutrition “was the great unknown.”
Why should you consume Salssa? “We don’t want people to consume only Salssa. The key is to try everything and see what works for you.”
That is how Salssa was born: from the desire to create natural pouches with a formula that would allow them to keep well while being responsible both toward the environment and the most sensitive athletes’ stomachs. Her partnership with Pau Rocas, a doctor of nanomedicine, enabled Anna to spend a year and a half perfecting an unprocessed food and ultimately presenting the 100% natural pouches you can buy today.
And why that type of packaging? Nowadays, there are all kinds of energy bars—healthy and effective. Gels exist too… Anna is quick to clarify: “Because of the size. Ideally, you want 25–35 grams of carbohydrates, but we wanted to make it natural, with the fiber and natural carbohydrates found in the food itself. That requires a larger package, as does avoiding the use of liquid sugars.”
Mystery solved.
Anna: “Nutrition, hydration, rest, and training are our four fundamental pillars for physical health.”
I decide to get straight to the point with the big question—the one every article I write should answer. Why should you consume Salssa? I’ll tell you now that the answer doesn’t disappoint: “We don’t want people to consume only Salssa. The key is to try everything and see what works for you, learn to alternate Salssa with other brands, and dare to try natural products.”
Anna cannot imagine life without sport, but neither can she imagine it without taking care of herself. And taking care of herself means looking after every aspect of her life. Including what she eats.
