Kirati

Growing up in India, I was surrounded by incredible flavors and traditional foods that my family had enjoyed for generations. When I moved to Houston in 2015 to pursue my master's degree in electrical engineering, I thought I'd left that part of my life behind. One of my favorite childhood snacks was popped water lily seeds, something so simple yet nutritious that kept me energized during long study sessions.

The pandemic changed everything for me. Working from home, I found myself constantly reaching for unhealthy snacks during stressful days. Around the same time, I started having health issues like becoming lactose intolerant, and a family member was dealing with gluten and lactose sensitivities, which made me scrutinize ingredient labels even more in depth. I was shocked to realize how much junk there is in our food system. I missed those clean, satisfying treats from my childhood and started experimenting in my kitchen, trying to recreate that perfect crunch with ingredients I could actually pronounce. I discovered there's a huge gap in healthy and clean snacking options, and the cherry on top is that my snacks are naturally vegan and gluten free. People with dietary restrictions deserve as many delicious options as anybody else. What started as homesickness turned into a business idea when friends tried my creations and couldn't stop asking for more.

What drives me every day is knowing that I'm introducing Americans to something genuinely special, a snack that's not just healthier than chips or popcorn, but actually nourishing. When I see customers at Houston farmers markets try water lily seeds for the first time and their faces light up, I know I'm building something meaningful. My dream is to make Let Me Snack the go to brand for people who believe that snacking doesn't have to be a guilty pleasure. It can actually fuel your body and support your health goals.