Health-conscious dining gains foothold in Diyala

DIYALA — Interest in diet-focused eating is growing across Iraq, with varying approaches such as cutting carbohydrates, reducing fats, or prioritizing vegetables. In Baqubah, a restaurant called Ruh Al-Hayat is drawing attention for offering a calorie-based alternative that avoids strict dietary exclusions.

Located on Tabu Street in New Baqubah, Ruh Al-Hayat does not promote a single nutritional theory. Instead, it focuses on controlling calorie intake, allowing customers to monitor their consumption throughout the day. Meals are measured and labeled by calorie count, and the restaurant employs a Lebanese team from Beirut to enhance the flavor of healthy dishes.

Restaurant owner Mustafa Ali told 964media that the concept stemmed from personal experience. “My weight reached 95 kilograms, and I got tired of gaining weight and eating boring food at home,” he said. “I wanted to show people that healthy food can be flavorful, and from there the idea of the restaurant was born.”

Dishes on the menu include whole wheat and Armenian pizzas, burgers, Italian salads, and chicken cordon bleu, with most items priced around 10,000 dinars ($7). The restaurant serves a customer base that includes athletes, people managing chronic health conditions, and others who simply want to eat healthier.

Head chef Ali Koblan, originally from Lebanon, highlighted some of the calorie-controlled meals, such as Dawood Basha, a lean veal dish in tomato sauce with rice, containing no more than 600 calories.

Another dish, a Turkish kebab sandwich, includes lean meat, light sauce, vegetables, and whole wheat bread, totaling about 550 calories. “We adapted it so people on a diet don’t have to miss out,” Koblan said.

Dining hall manager Nawal Afif said the Lebanese influence is evident, but the emphasis remains on nutrition. “Even our desserts are made with diet-friendly ingredients — light cream, light milk, and sugar-free biscuits,” she said. Portions are calculated by weight, with desserts around 350 calories, salads at 450, and burgers also at 450.