RIYADH: Saudi nutrition and culinary content creator Ibrahim Al-Dosaimani’s health transformation has inspired 227,000 of his followers on Instagram who struggle with being underweight.

Known online as Heem Fit, Al-Dosaimani transformed his life through the power of weight training and healthy cooking.

“All of my recipes are healthy and without deprivation. The basic idea of all my recipes is to maintain the beautiful flavor and increase the nutritional value, and my followers love them,” he told Arab News.

The 27-year-old computer engineer began with a struggle against extreme thinness, leading him to discover not only the importance of nutrition, but also his love for creating delicious meals.

“I never expected that one day I would practice weight training and be in the field of cooking,” he added.

His transformation started when he faced a significant challenge: Despite trying a range of methods, he struggled to gain weight. Growing up, Al-Dosaimani often cooked alongside his mother, who encouraged him to eat more. “I would tell her I wanted to gain weight, and she’d say I had to eat a lot, but I didn’t quite understand what that meant.”

In 2017, he took the plunge into weight training while gradually honing his culinary skills. “I found joy in cooking and could spend hours in the kitchen without noticing the time fly by.”

The combination of exercise and cooking paid off; he began to gain weight, although it fluctuated over time. Realizing that he was not eating as much as he thought, Al-Dosaimani delved into the world of nutrition.

“I started learning about calories, macronutrients and how to meet my dietary needs effectively,” he said.

By early 2021, Al-Dosaimani decided to share his journey and knowledge with a broader audience. “I wanted to change people’s perceptions of healthy eating.”

He started creating content and, to date, has filmed more than 250 recipes across various social media platforms, reaching thousands of viewers. His primary goal is to raise awareness about healthy eating and reshape how people perceive it.

“At first, appearing in front of the camera was difficult for me, and I did not like to show my face. Of course, the editing and the way of filming were a challenge, but with time, I was able to develop myself and present the recipe better, and I showed my face,” Al-Dosaimani added.

Throughout his journey, he has faced several challenges, including a lack of nutritional knowledge that delayed his progress. “Not being fully versed in nutrition led to delayed results,” he said. He also encountered misconceptions about healthy eating resulting in bland food that lacks flavor, which he combats by creating delicious recipes that mirror fast food favorites. “I love making burger recipes because I’m a burger lover,” he added.

For those looking to gain weight and be healthy, Al-Dosaimani highlights the importance of a structured meal plan alongside a resistance training regimen to build muscle mass.

“It’s essential to eat high-calorie, low-volume foods that provide the necessary nutrients without overwhelming you,” he said.

Understanding calories and macronutrients has been crucial in Al-Dosaimani’s journey. “Once you grasp these concepts, you can enjoy your food without feeling deprived or restricted. That mindset shift is vital,” he said.

The most rewarding aspect of his work is the positive feedback he receives from those who have benefited from his recipes. “I love hearing from people who have changed their bodies because of my recipes,” he added.

Looking ahead, Al-Dosaimani is excited about an upcoming project: “I’m working on an e-book dedicated to healthy recipes, which will also have educational content to enhance nutrition awareness.”

Reflecting on his transformation, Al-Dosaimani said he would advise his younger self to seek out the right methods to gain weight and to deepen his understanding of nutrition. “Learn the right way to gain weight and increase your knowledge about nutrition,” he said.

His passion for cooking and helping others continues to drive him as he evolves in his fitness and culinary pursuits.

“Through my journey, I not only changed my life, but also hope to inspire countless others to embrace healthy eating and a balanced lifestyle.”

With 2024 being the “Year of the Camel,” lovers of the indigenous “ships of the desert” can sink their spoons into creamy, lactose-free, premium gelato from Noug, a PIF-funded company from Sawani.

All seven distinct gelato flavors made from camel milk are now available at select local Saudi supermarkets across the Kingdom.

While camels have long been symbols of the country, few households in modern Saudi cities consume camel milk as part of their daily diet.

Noug, a relatively new brand on the market, has been expanding its business model rapidly in recent years. Launched this summer, the gelato offers customers a sweet way to rediscover the merits of camel milk.

In Noug’s gelato recipe, camel milk, which helps produce a thick, creamy consistency, is the primary ingredient. Since gelato is also churned at a much slower speed than ice cream, less air gets into the mix, making the cool dessert denser and richer.

We tried the coffee and cardamom flavor. As a lover of coffee, gelato and cardamom, I was a bit hesitant to try this camel milk version, but once I did, it truly hit the spot. It did not taste “weird” at all, but rather like gelato I might find somewhere in Europe, only with a distinctly Saudi flavoring and better packaging.

Each container includes a small spoon underneath the lid, which is convenient. The branding is on point too, with a camel-shaped barcode at the back. It was enjoyable and not foreign at all to my tongue.

Noug opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in the Saudi capital last year. Since then, it has established branches in AlUla, Jeddah, Makkah and a series of trucks in Alkhobar. It also offers delivery via various food apps.

Supermarkets now stock the cool stuff in the freezer aisle, so you can pick up a flavor — or all seven — to try on your next visit to the frozen dessert section. Each one goes for SR17 ($4).

Check @noug.ksa on Instagram for more details.