Eating healthy is a challenge faced by almost everyone, made harder by the neon glow of fast food chains lighting up the streets.

Ilford Recorder: The restaurant promtoes exercise and has a children's menuThe restaurant promtoes exercise and has a children's menu (Image: Archant)

To remedy the lack of clean and fast food available, Gyms Kitchen, the UK’s first protein-based restaurant, has set up shop in Gants Hill – aiming to change the way we all eat.

Ilford Recorder: You can watch chef Champ Wongwai in action in the open kitchenYou can watch chef Champ Wongwai in action in the open kitchen (Image: Archant)

Its menu is packed with mouth-watering morsels designed by top nutritionists, and is notable for its absence of burgers, fries and any fried foods.

The idea was born to three friends over a protein breakfast in Los Angeles, says director Steven Mavrou, and the flagship site was opened in Leyton at the height of Olympic fever last year.

“We realised there really wasn’t anywhere that catered for gym-goers,” said Steven. “The whole basis of our concept is clean and honest ingredients. You can even see your food being cooked fresh in our open kitchen. There’s not many places where you can get, for example, a grilled chicken breast without any sauce or marinade. That’s where we come in.”

With the grand opening this evening (Thursday), the restaurant, in Cranbrook Road, is expected to attract the same high-profile customers spotted enjoying a healthy meal in Leyton over the past 12 months.

The likes of Tottenham’s Kyle Walker have been joined by the stars of reality TV series The Only Way Is Essex and boxer Amir Khan.

Steven says the celebrity draw of the restaurant is encouraging others to become healthy, and is helping his business succeed.

He said: “It’s now cool to be associated with this kind of food and it’s healthy.

“We eventually want to get in contact with Gants Hill schools to help teach children how to eat better.

“Near our site there are three chicken shops that are packed at lunch times and we need to think of a way to give those children a healthy alternative.”

With the slogan “Eat Clean, Train Dirty, Gyms Kitchen” it not only promotes exercise – but actively whips customers into shape with a boot camp.

Currently in talks with Fitness First, in Ilford, Steven hopes to offer the programme from Gants Hill – including workout sessions, a 12-day plan, meal vouchers and the ultimate badge of honour, a Gyms Kitchen T-shirt.

“To be successful in getting yourself fit, you need a balanced diet and regular exercise,” explains Steven. “We have combined them and we’ve also got nutritionists on site to give advice on food selection and meal plans.”

Though the restaurant prides itself on being the perfect after-gym bite to eat, the name has become the “best and worst thing” about the eatery, admits Steven.

Some might be put off by the emphasis on fitness, but he is keen to point out that the restaurant is for everyone – fully equipped with children’s meals and the “best steak outside of London”.

He added: “Hopefully people will come to know us for our top food. It’s all simple, but it’s cooked to perfection and presented beautifully.”

•Visit gymskitchen.com.