If you are constantly feeling the effects of an afternoon slump, there is a new business in Gainesville that can help by providing a healthy energy boost.
Lake Lanier Nutrition on Thompson Bridge Road sells meal replacement protein shakes, loaded teas and “beauty drinks” packed with caffeine, vitamins and nutrients.
"I look at our drinks and our products as essentially a substitute...with our drinks, our beauty teas, our specialty teas, as well as our loaded teas. The loaded teas are herbal tea based, the beauty and specialty are collagen based,” said Lake Lanier Nutrition owner William Culpepper. “To me it's just a healthier option versus coffee, I think some of the products that are in there really help with mental focus."
Culpepper explained that the meal replacement shakes are water-based protein shakes with approximately 200 to 250 calories in each drink. The loaded teas are also water-based with aloe, which helps the body to absorb the additional nutrients.
Each drink has its own flavor profile in addition to the health benefits. Lake Lanier Nutrition offers more than 50 meal replacement shake flavors and more than 20 loaded tea flavors.
Meal replacement shake recipes include rich flavors such as brownie batter, butter pecan and banana pudding. Loaded tea flavors contain more tart or fruit-flavored ingredients like blue Hawaiian, Jolly Rancher and Peach Passion.
"Our menus are independent to our club, we're very proud of these menus but it's a lot of ingredients that help to make these flavor profiles what they are with all the great attributes,” said Culpepper.
Culpepper said he and his employees are open about each drink recipe and place brochures around the store that clearly list drink ingredients. He said staff are also willing to help customers with dietary restrictions pick out a drink.
The drink recipes are fairly simple: take a 16 ounce or 32 ounce cup of ice and water then add all of the ingredients. Shakes are blended in an industrial blender to achieve a smooth consistency, while teas are stirred or shaken to mix flavors.
It takes only a few minutes for Culpepper and his staff to make each drink. The quick process makes the drinks a great go-to for people in a hurry.
Culpepper said clients tell him that the drinks, the loaded teas specifically, give them an energy boost without side effects.
“We have some of our clients come in, we love to hear it, [who say they] have a lot of energy, but it’s clean energy and they talk about not being jittery like sometimes you feel from having coffee,” he said.
Lake Lanier Nutrition has only been open a few weeks, but Culpepper said he already has a steady stream of customers and even some regulars.
"We're getting a general feel that our client base really likes the product, the atmosphere and the customer service...those are cornerstones for us,” said Culpepper.
Lake Lanier Nutrition is open every weekday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information about the store is on their Facebook page.
