Like its name implies, Elite Fitness Diner offers wholesome meals geared towards getting people started on a healthy lifestyle, once they have decided that this is the path they wish to take.
Meals have to be pre-ordered, although the diner does also cater for walk-ins. The business specifically provides a service for clients who are dedicated towards living a fit and healthy lifestyle. This is what distinguishes it from other food businesses in Guyana, according to owner Nandram Sahoy.
Sahoy, also known as ‘Anil’, shared that when he conceptualized Elite Fitness Diner, he was making a breakfast of pancakes. This was back in November last year. Realizing that his idea was unique and could be big, he immediately got his notebook and began to structure a plan. By December, he had found a place to rent at the Courtyard Mall. As he was working part-time, he had time on his hands to plan for the launching of his business.
Despite opening during a crucial time – just a few days before Guyana’s general elections – Sahoy did not allow his positive mindset to waver, not even when the dreaded coronavirus pandemic followed.
Nine months later, he has created a way for persons to eat their way to a healthier and longer life.
Sahoy explained that prior to the conception of the business, he was already working out at the gym and being careful to prepare the right kind and correct portions of food for himself. He explained that at first he was not very serious about the lifestyle and had started and stopped on several occasions. However, nine months prior to opening his business, Sahoy decided to be more disciplined and as soon as he began to reap the benefits of choosing this journey, he could not keep it to himself. Of course, his experience was not enough, especially when he wanted to cater for clients of all body types. As a result, he spent countless hours doing research on this.
“I created my meal plan from scratch. You can’t find it anywhere else,” he said. He added that while there are pancakes being sold at other places, they taste nothing like his. “Have you tried my protein version or my low-carb version?” he asked.
He offers vegan, gluten-free and 100% organic foods. He noted that many of the ingredients used in his meals are imported as he cannot always find them at the supermarkets here. As a result, the expenses incurred to have the items imported are substantial but the business’s success to date has been making it happen.
And instead of complaining about the pandemic, Sahoy saw it as a stepping-stone to his success.
Sahoy said half of his clientele work out at the gym while the other 50% are either athletes or indulge in some kind of sport.
He noted that the lifestyle is not a programme that lasts for a month or a year. Persons who decide they are ready to be fit and healthy are those who intend being that way for the rest of their lives.
Once contacted, Sahoy converses with clients to know what it is they want, what kind of body they desire, whether they are allergic to any products and so forth. They also talk about the kind of exercises that should be done and while Sahoy would give advice on this, he only takes care of preparing the meals. By the end of the discussion, there is agreement on a meal plan designed specifically for the client. All nutritional consultation as well as the meal plan are free.
He believes that Elite Fitness Diner is the only one of its kind that provides specially designed wholesome meals for clients and if it is not, then it is surely one of probably less than a handful. There are more than 100 items on his menu, all of which have been created from scratch. A hundred meals and smoothies are the result of Sahoy constantly trying innovative ways of coming up with healthy food. The menu, then, will only grow.
One of the more popular items is the ketogenic bread that is low in carbs but rich in protein. There is also the keto pancake and the keto meal, among several others.
The meal plan caters for three meals a day, which of course can be altered as required. For a few persons, their plan includes five meals a day. Eating healthy, Sahoy said, will save persons from having to deal with huge doctor bills in the future, as they will not fall ill from prolonged unhealthy eating habits.
“[I plan to become] the number one health and fitness diner in Guyana as well as the best restaurant in Guyana when it comes to healthy eating, customer service…,” said Sahoy. He intends to expand his business after the pandemic.
Among the items on the Elite Fitness Diner menu are vegan bread, vanilla protein pancakes, keto muffins, protein crepes with cottage cheese and berries, and chicken parmesan whole wheat lasagna.
The diner, located at the Courtyard Mall on Robb Street, is opened from 7 am to 5 pm. The business can be followed on its Facebook page or persons can contact Sahoy at 611-4811.
