Takeaway food is often not good for you, but now there is an alternative at an eaterie set up by a sportsman, as MARION SAUVEBOIS finds

IN these health conscious times the takeaway has become public enemy number one.

And yet finding wholesome and, crucially, convenient alternatives is akin to hunting the yeti – many claim it exists but we are yet to report an actual sighting.

Thankfully there is a light at the end of the tunnel for those who fancy a night off from slaving over the stove but are sick of greasy fish and chips or oily curry — and it comes in the form of Fitness Kitchen.

A large screen welcomes patrons, showing brawny athletes and body-builders toning their oiled muscles and lifting weights with zeal.

If this does not say it all, the catchline ‘You are what you eat’ concluding the video certainly does.

Fitness Kitchen,which opened its doors in Havelock Street in January, is the brainchild of avid sportsman turned body-builder Romeo Pirvu.

Unable to track down a café, deli or takeaway serving nutritious dishes suited to his strict diet and training regime, he dreamt up the concept of a guilt-free foodie haven.

“Some places say they have healthy options but it’s not enough,” said Romeo, who also owns SNES, a supplements and sports equipment store in Havelock Street.

“I still wasn’t happy with these so-called healthy options. They were not as good as they could be. So I thought I should do it myself.

“What I learnt from doing sports for 20 years is that to better yourself and achieve your full potential, healthy eating needs to be a lifestyle. You can’t expect to have one healthy meal once or twice a week and tick all the boxes. You have to have a healthy diet 95 per cent of the time.”

While Fitness Kitchen may at first seemed targeted at die-hard gym addicts, this could not be further from the truth, according to Romeo.

“The bottom line is Fitness Kitchen caters to everybody whether they are looking to maximise their fitness results or enjoy a healthy snack and improve their lifestyle. It’s about balance.”

The original idea may have come to him in a flash but he did not rush the opening.

He spent two years refining his menu before signing the lease on the vacant unit next door to his supplements store.

The recipes had to be wholesome but they had tickle customers’ tastebuds too.

The restaurant now offers a selection of low calorie sandwiches, meat and fish, including sea bass served on a bed of crisp vegetables, and a veritable catalogue of healthy breakfast alternatives, many vegan and gluten free, such as porridge, granola and coconut flour pancakes topped with organic peanut butter, yoghurt and fresh fruit.

“The menu is everything I was looking for myself.

“In order to have a healthy diet you have to use the best possible natural ingredients and a bit of TLC.

“We use organic and free range ingredients. There is nothing here I wouldn’t have as part of my own diet.

“I experimented with God knows how many recipes at home.

“The longest time I spent on any recipe was the pancakes. You get them everywhere so I had to be different.”

This summer Romeo pushed the Fitness Kitchen concept a step further, by unveiling the Grab & Go, a takeaway service with delivery.

However you will not catch the owner referring to it as ‘takeaway’, a term too often used to describe calorie-packed fast food.

The Grab & Go menu includes generous portions of chicken salad, freshly prepared salmon delight, a fillet of fish served with asparagus, as well as basmati rice and sweet potato mash sides. The nutritional values per serving are clearly indicated on each container.

“I called it Grab & Go to send the right message,” he said.

“Speaking to customers I realised we had to make our food even more convenient. We aim to take the stress away from people having to go to the shop, prepping and cooking. You can just order one or a few meals for the rest of the week.

“Our customers asked us to list the nutritional values so we did, so they can keep track of what they eat.”

Contrary to popular belief, healthy eating is not unaffordable and in fact can often be cheaper long-term than fast food.

This is reflected in the pricing. Grab & Go offerings start at £2.99 for a side and £4.99 for a main. As for the regular café menu, dishes start at £4.50.

Plans to expand the menu are in the works but for now Romeo is content to spread his food philosophy and offer health-conscious foodies much-needed stress relief — starting at home.

“I am passionate about what I do and the best part now is that I have somewhere to eat.”

Fitness Kitchen is based at 37 Havelock St, Swindon, SN1 1SD. To check the menus go to www.fitnesskitchenswindon.co.uk. To place an order call 01793 610532.