Fitness freaks may tell you that they prefer only home cooked meals, but there’s a growing community of weight watchers who rely on cafes and restaurants for their post-workout meal. This is the reason why many restaurants and cafes are reworking their menus to include a section of ‘high-protein’ or ‘guilt-free’ options. Recognising the need, India Food Services Report 2024 by National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), recently added a new category – after working out or exercise session (23%).
‘Conscious diners want to stick to their diet while eating out’
Restaurateurs say that morning hours (till noon), which was earlier not the busiest time for restaurant staff, is the time when they have guests who would head straight to a restaurant for a post workout meal.“I noticed this for the first time when I had opened my second outlet at a mall in Vasant Kunj. Many trainers and other guests would come straight from the gym. They would visit the outlet looking for vegetable juices and meal options with the right mix of protein, carbs and fibre. I realised then that this is a big number,” says restaurateur Vikrant Batra. He adds, “There are a couple of reasons why there is growing demand for health food options. People who invest their time in workouts are also young corporates who may not have time to cook their own meals or go grocery shopping as per their diet chart. Also, some of these ingredients are more expensive than a wholesome meal that one can find in a restaurant. Even if someone is not a fitness freak, there is a growing number of conscious diners who want to look for healthy options when they go out to eat. Also, now people go out for dining far more frequently – for different reasons, for business meetings, because they don’t feel like cooking – and the idea is not indulge and have a cheat meal every time.”
‘Many diners say they can’t prepare the healthy diet they need everyday’, say restaurateurs
Cooking a perfect healthy meal is a serious business and not everyone can get it right. This is one reason why many diners trust only tried and tested outlets and repeat their order for years (sometimes with customisation). “We have regular clients who either come for dine in or order food for their post workout meal and mostly it is the same order. Many tell us that they can’t get the perfect grilled chicken or fish at home, so they prefer to order. Not just for post workout meals, we have clients who follow certain food restrictions (like no sugar, butter etc) and when they want to have a certain dish that they can’t prepare, they like to order as our entire menu has been designed on the concept of guilt-free dining,” says Satvik Ahuja, founder of restaurant chain and cloud kitchen that specialises in healthy food. “When we prepare our menus we get onboard a health expert and specialised chef who can recommend the right portion size, right mix of protein, carbs etc, keto-friendly options, gluten-free options, so that our healthy menu is perfect for those following a certain diet,” says restaurateur Umang Tiwari.
‘Going out for a post workout meal is the best way to relax’
Apart from the reasons mentioned by restaurateurs, some diners say that going for a post workout meal is like rewarding your body with a nutritious meal. “For me, a good diet is as important as a good workout. After almost two hours of workout, I want to be treated with a healthy meal and I am in no mood to cook that for myself every day. I feel that rather than spending one hour in the kitchen, I would rather spend that hour at a restaurant and order my breakfast the way I want it. That is more relaxing,” says Sonika Mehta, a HR working in Gurgaon.

Some diners say that going for a post workout meal is like rewarding your body with a nutritious meal

What’s on offer

Inputs by Satvik Ahuja, founder of a restaurant chain specialising in health food