TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Would you like more protein in your diet? Improve your metabolism? Or give yourself more energy without eventually crashing? Check out a Topeka shop that offers nutritional meals in a shake or tea.
Among the hustle and bustle of downtown Topeka is Forward Nutrition. A shop specializing in clean, energizing teas, iced coffees, frappes, and shakes that can include protein, essential vitamins, or electrolytes.
“All of our shakes are water-based, so they are not made with dairy products,” said Tara Casey, Forward Nutrition owner. “It helps keep the calorie count down, also keeps sugar and fat down as well, and then, of course, anybody who is lactose intolerant. It is nice for them because they can get a shake and they do not have to worry about getting an upset stomach or any other ailments.”
Whatever health problems or needs a customer may have, Forward Nutrition owner, Tara Casey, says you can share what troubles you have with her and she can suggest what products she has that can improve your worries. Casey has had customers approach her suffering a headache or feeling rather sick, and each has asked if she has anything that can help.
For example, a Pretty Tea comes with protein, and you can ask for an additional metabolism boost or add collagen. The Quencher drinks come with electrolytes and hydration, and you can pick a special flavor. There are sweet fruity drinks or chocolate, and peanut butter drinks in the form of a shake or tea.
“It is not like [the] energy drinks that you can get over the counter or in the grocery store. We add some flavorings in there too, to get it [the way] you want. So, it is almost like a Kool-Aid without all the sugar. Just like a taste of your childhood there in a cup but you can feel good about drinking it because you know it is going to benefit you.”
Casey’s personal favorite is the Peanut Butter Waffle shake.
“That is the number one I recommend because it is my favorite shake,” said Casey. “We add our protein drink mix in there. We add our formula one healthy meal replacement, and then we add our sugar-free pudding mixes in there too, because obviously, we are trying to make sure it is the best ingredients, and we just add ice and water and blend it.”
If you want long-term help, Forward Nutrition also offers wellness coaching with a health coach to create a tailored meal plan and research nutritional products to help you reach your wellness goals.
Forward Nutrition has been open for one year now. Since then, it has received business from more downtown Topeka events, like Irish Fest, and opportunities from Topeka organizations like Tour Topeka, Omni Circle, and Heartland BMX. Casey is grateful for all the customer support and has enjoyed meeting new people over the past year.
“I want to make sure that people when they leave here, if they are coming in having a hard day at work, that when they leave, that they are having the best day ever and that they have the meal nutrition,” said Casey. “Getting the good nutrition in their body that they need and clean energizing teas to also help them finish their day. I appreciate you all so much because I wouldn’t be able to be here if it wasn’t for their support and friendship, and I owe it all to them. I am growing just as much as they are growing here, and it has been so much fun just getting to meet people. I look forward to meeting new people every day and getting to know more people.”
The products Casey uses in her drinks primarily come from the Herbalife brand products, and Casey says, “Herbalife Nutrition has been around for 40 years. We have a whole health panel of doctors and scientists that study the products, so they know what’s going into your body. They know what it’s supposed to do, they know how it’s affecting you, and that’s what they want it. They want to make sure that it’s doing everything the best that it can.”
Forward Nutrition can be found at 929 S Kansas Ave. The shop is open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on weekdays and closed during the weekends.
Casey recommends residents also check out Soul Fire Nutrition in the Brookwood Shopping Center at 2839 SW 29th St. Another Topeka shop with nutritional protein smoothies and specialty drinks to offer on the south side of town.
“We have several different sister shops around town,” said Casey. “It’s nice because you can go anywhere in Topeka to hit up which is great, and I recommend hitting up all of them because we all offer the same things. The shop environment is almost identical when you go in everyone is always positive happy.”
Copyright 2024 WIBW. All rights reserved.
