So we’re going to give it to you straight: Ever since 2017 started, we’ve been feeling a little chubby. Maybe it was all those delicious reviews we worked on for our annual bazaar Dining and Delivery Guide, maybe it was because of all the stress eating we did during the closing of said guide. Either way, our bloat has increased and with Spring around the corner, not to mention the glares of our judgmental aunties as their eyes linger on our midsections, we have been into the idea of clean eating to decrease said belly fat these days.

Like every great achievement to work towards, you need to start off slowly – make a few small changes and ease into the process, taking it bit-by-bit, day-by-day. Though we were tempted to order in something a little heavier, we decided to try out the happy medium between decadent and guilt-free: which is incidentally, decadent turned guilt-free!

After perusing the delivery apps, we came across Roots Eatery. Had any one of us ever tried it before? Nope, otherwise the rules of the game would be compromised! “I’ve walked past it in Shuwaikh Market once and felt intrigued,” quipped one bazaarite. And thus, we voted on it, and scanned the menu to put in our orders.

Let me be honest with you, readers. Trying to decide on a dish was really challenging, because there’s just so much to choose from! And it’s all guaranteed to fit in with any clean-eating plan you may be on, filled with Paleo options, Whole30, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, carb-free, and classic comfort food remade to revolve around good ethics. After much discussion, we ended up ordering an eclectic range of dishes, hailing from different sections of the menu: a Beef Lollipop appetizer, a Beetroot Avocado sandwich, a Steak and Kale sandwich accompanied with Baked Potatoes, Paleo Shrimp Curry Bowl with brown rice, Paleo Grilled Chicken Bowl with brown rice, Whole Wheat Fettucine, the world’s tiniest Sweet Potato Muffin, and just because we were insanely curious, a jar of peanut butter.

When the food arrived, we could hardly contain our excitement. The sandwiches were of the easy- to-tote variety, and when unwrapped revealed a panini-pressed style in a brown bread that only complimented their respective fillings. Paired with the guilt-free baked wedges of wholesome potato, this light little lunch was surprisingly filling!

The bowls were reported to be satisfying and delicious, and what we noticed was how accommodating they were to certain dietary practices. When ordering one of Roots Eatery’s bowls, you have the choice of pairing it with brown rice filled with veggies or in its original glory, avocado brown rice, or cauliflower rice! Similar to the sandwiches, which allow you to opt for the restaurant’s signature Paleo “bread”, you have no excuse to fall off the carb-free wagon come lunchtime temptations.

The fettucine, like all their pasta dishes, is made with whole-wheat noodles and comes packed with flavor. With kicks of lemon and spice engulfing the classic comfort meal, you’re definitely in for a treat with this one.

The beef lollipops may have a misleading name, but they’re literally just steak bites on toothpicks, served with a wholesome yogurt-based dipping sauce. Simple yet classic, this is ideal for the inner caveperson who loves nothing more than adding sneaky bits of protein into their food intake.

We didn’t know what to expect with the sweet potato muffin, and honestly, when it arrived in a little baggie revealing the tiniest muffin we’d ever seen, we couldn’t stop laughing. But don’t be fooled, as some of the greatest things in life really do come in small packages! This one-bite baby is perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth, and brings on an explosion of Autumnal flavors. Let’s face it – who doesn’t love experiencing Fall memories year-round?

As for our accidental peanut butter jar? Yes, it was an accident, but we each dipped a clean spoon into the jar for a bite of homemade peanut butter throughout the day. We now have an amazing spread in the office to use for last minute breakfasts and snacks! Yum!

Suffice to say, we were impressed, left the office full, and didn’t hate ourselves after. As long as we have options like Roots Eatery to choose from in the healthy-food world, the transition into clean eating shouldn’t be a difficult one.

Roots Eatery is located in Shuwaikh Market. Follow them on Instagram @rootskwt, and call them at 9936 0640 for more information.