The app’s launch line-up of meal prep providers includes GoPig, NutriLean, Tasty Grub, Oh So Lean, Prep by Gains, Jordan’s Kitchen, NI Supplement and Redbox Kitchen
A Co Armagh entrepreneur’s personal weight-loss journey has inspired the launch of a new app.
Shaun Byrne lost around seven stone through meal prepping and calorie counting. He has now created Fuel Hive which “gives users an easy way to make healthier choices without resorting to unhealthy fast food”.
It offers calorie-controlled dinners and protein-rich snacks. The Portadown man, 34, has invested in the business alongside 35-year-old Armagh businessman Kevin Hannaway and the Lazaroo-Hood Group.
READ MORE: How a NI couple lost 21st combined as they now aim to help others do the same
Shaun said Fuel Hive is bringing together some of NI’s meal prep providers. The app’s launch line-up includes GoPig, NutriLean, Tasty Grub, Oh So Lean, Prep by Gains, Jordan’s Kitchen, NI Supplement and Redbox Kitchen.
Speaking to Belfast Live about his weight loss, Shaun said: “Between 2022 and 2023 I had lost about seven stone, give or take. It was based upon me basically trying to just organise my calories. My blood pressure was so high, it was like 140/90, my blood pressure is now 120/70.
“I work in an office pretty much every day, so it was so easy to get to 20 stone because all you’re doing is eating and sleeping and repeating. I never really got into that gym life. I went to the gym on sort of somewhat of a regular occurrence, but I should have been significantly more regular. I started out on these meal preps. I was on meal preps for the guts of a year and went to different shops to find different ones.
“It was basically just a way for me to manage my calorie intake. It means I’m not cooking, I’m not thinking about it. If I’m buying three meals or four meals, I know that’s three or four days’ worth of dinners. I didn’t have to think about it.”
The Co Armagh man, who also runs two other companies, added: “The Fuel Hive meal prep idea came from just sheer unwillingness to continue to eat the same meal preps. I said, ‘I build apps for a living, I do marketing for a living – why not build my own?’
“It’s very simple, similar to Just Eat or Uber Eats. You basically go onto an app, you see, 15 or 20, or 30 or 40 meal prep companies. You can go on and pick ones that you want to order from and order for that week, or that day or whatever you want.
“They get delivered and we’re offering options for collection, depending on the meal prep company.”
Fronting the brand as its lead ambassador, Maryann Maguire from Crumlin. The actor who also works in the fitness sector said: “I know how difficult it can be to balance work, fitness, and nutrition. Like a lot of people, I want to make healthier choices, but life gets in the way. What’s exciting about Fuel Hive is how easy it makes the process – everything is calorie-counted, locally produced, and ready when you need it.
“What [is] hugely important for me is that I had a really unhealthy relationship with food and growing up there was a lot of stigma around young women being skinny. The stigma just wasn’t about young women; it was about men too. And, as much as stigma still exists, we have to learn a healthier relationship with food. If you put diesel into an unleaded car – that car isn’t going to drive down the road well, if at all. We need to fuel our bodies in a healthy, nutritious and sustainable way and Fuel Hive helps people do this.”
Maryann, who lost five stone, added: “Shaun did his in the healthy way, I did not, so the Fuel Hive way is so refreshing. These prepped meals can be delivered to your door, or it lets you know which shops in your area have these meals. Shaun wanted someone who is on a journey themselves to front Fuel Hive and I am very honoured to do so.
“This isn’t just about losing weight – it’s about having energy, focus, and balance.”
And speaking to Belfast Live, Maryann told: “I actually really wish that an app like Fuel Hive was around when I was losing weight. I made sure I told Shaun – ‘this is actually a fantastic idea’.
“It’s one of those things where everyone nowadays, we live busy lives, we have maybe multiple jobs – we’re trying to fit everything in, and the key, I think for me anyway with Fuel Hive is convenience – how convenient it is and how quick it is. There’s also the likes of busy students and everything else.”
Fuel Hive has attracted £100,000 combined investment from Shaun, Kevin and the Lazaroo-Hood Group. Speaking about Fuel Hive, Ross Lazaroo-Hood said: “We chose to be a significant shareholder and invest in Fuel Hive because it aligns with our ambition to make life better and easier for busy people.
“Healthy eating shouldn’t be hard work. The team’s focus on trusted, transparent food providers delivering convenience without compromise really resonated with us. They’re already making an impact across Ireland and the UK. We’re excited about the next phase of expanding internationally to become the go-to marketplace for quality, transparency and stress-free healthy living.”
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