Nadine Mustafa Clean eating is becoming more prominent than ever as more people recognize the health advantages of breaking poor habits. As people’s eating practices change, there are more and more healthy and vegetarian eateries to try. Since ‘Be Good to you’ restaurant is taking the lead in that manner, we sat down with Nadia Abo Taleb – the founder – to tell us more about what this eatery provides and how does it stand out.
What is the concept behind ‘Be Good to You’?
The concept behind ‘Be Good to You’ is a healthy concept, from choosing the ingredients to serving it to the customers. We focus on using ingredients that are fresh, organic, hormone-free, and antibiotic-free. We don’t use anything that is processed or contains preservatives, not to mention we cook only with olive, coconut, and sesame oil. The menu is gluten-free as well as dairy-free which is healthy.
The challenges did you go through when you first operated?
When we first opened five years ago, there were very limited resources and ingredients. Now, there is much more variety than before. In the beginning, I struggled with finding the right ingredients, so I had to import some from abroad. Besides that, the concept itself was new in the Egyptian market, people were confused about the nature and niche of our restaurant.
What was the initial feedback – a fully dedicated vegetarian restaurant?
We are not a fully dedicated vegetarian restaurant, to say the least; however, we are an entirely dedicated gluten-free and refined sugar-free restaurant with vegan and dairy-free options.
How did you make sure to present healthy yet dainty food to the public?
There is this misconception that healthy food is tasteless and bland, so we had to face the challenge of getting people to try healthy food that is flavorful and delicious like fruits, seasonings, and spices.
Do you think healthy food will be the go-to in the F&B industry in the upcoming years? And how so?
I think five years ago is different from the case now. Today, a lot of restaurants are imitating the healthy-driven concept, a lot of grocery stores are starting to be more inclusive and offer clean ingredients. You will find a versatile healthy stand in every supermarket where they offer many vegans and gluten-free options. There is a change in the market where individuals are having general demands to increase health awareness and change their lives for the better.
How does ‘Be Good to You’ serve a variety of tastes?
‘Be Good to You’ caters to everyone. Whether meat-eaters, vegans, pescatarians, or vegetarians; all dishes are very tasty and aesthetically presented.
What is your food philosophy?
My food philosophy is eating everything clean and healthy. I eat gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free food. However, there are days when I eat meat, chicken, or fish and others when I eat fully vegan food. I believe in balance and avoiding anything that is processed, where greens and salads are my main source of nutrition. I avoid sugar and fried food as much as I can, yet sometimes I like to indulge in something that I crave.
If you could give one piece of advice for new vegans, what would it be?
To watch their B12 intake since it can only come from animal protein sources. Otherwise, they can have B12 supplements if they are fully committed to being vegans.
Which vegetarian dish ‘Be Good to You’ serves that impresses visitors instantly?
Our menu constantly changes every few months, but our vegan top sellers are the big-falafel salad, the vegan ball, the spring rolls, and a lot more. We like to mix and match and have various options every now and then.
How did ‘Be Good to You’ affect people’s health and physical condition so far?
When someone comes up to me and expresses gratitude that this restaurant has helped them in a way or another, it always gets overwhelming. That I can help others make better choices and have a good, tasty meal outside their homes. It is all about willpower and commitment.
Are you planning on branching out any time soon?
I am focusing now on getting a new program out – a weight loss one where people can order their meals straight to their home to loosen weight. And in the meantime, I must take care of my kids.
