Clydebank chef wants to offer guilt-free dining with second restaurant

The Italian restaurant Romy’s, on Alexander Street, owned by bodybuilder and chef Cara Roberts is opening its daytime service to a new health initiative.

Reload Fitness Food Co. debuts on June 3 offering customers something very different to their late-night restaurant.

The 33-year-old, who runs a meal prep company, has decided to take the next step and let her customers dine in on her menu of fresh flavoursome food with added nutritional benefits.

With more than 15 years of experience as a chef, she has been inspired by her two passions and wants to offer something new to Clydebank.

Cara Roberts, owner of Reload Fitness Food Co. (Image: Supplied)The specially crafted menu features low-calorie alternatives to popular foods and even gives you all the nutritional information you need to keep track.

Cara said: “I found a passion for bodybuilding and really connected with the lifestyle; the routine, the ever-present growth, focus and evolution that comes with it.

“They say ‘if you really love what you do, you never work a day in your life’ so I did just that. I combined my passions, my interests and my love for looking after people and created Reload."

Romy's and Reload on Alexander Street, Clydebank (Image: Supplied)As a bodybuilder, Cara is disciplined in what she needs to fuel her routine. But it isn’t always easy.

She said: “Every time I'm out, I'm like 'where can I go'? You go out and you're looking for a cheap meal. I hate the word, but a cheap meal. You must go and have something off-plan.

“And I'm like, 'no, you know what? You can still be on plan, you don't need to compromise on flavour'. You can come out and socialise and still be guilt-free."

Cara says it's important to her that she offers affordable food that sets you up for the day ahead.

Reload serves guilt-free food from protein shakes, botanical juices, health juices, detox shots, brunch, and poke bowls to cakes.

The menu has plenty of gluten-free and vegan options in the hope that it will encourage accessibility for those who have dietary requirements.

Cara added: “Reload is for anybody who wants to support an everyday lifestyle. Our food gives you the kind of nutrients that you need for everyday get up and go and motivation.

“To coin a phrase, 'you really are what you eat'. If you eat sluggish food you will feel sluggish.

“Everything's fresh every day.

“Everything is on the menu too, calories, proteins, carbs, fat, gluten-free, vegan. So you can track it and stay within the calories that you set for yourself.

“You're not compromising anything. You're not compromising flavour. You're not compromising your diet, you're not compromising your lifestyle. No compromises, no sacrifices you can just enjoy yourself.”

Cara says she has already received interest from customers with several bookings already made and backing from the local bodybuilding community.

Romy will remain open at 4pm Thursday to Sunday and Reload will operate from 9.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday.