Healthy version of 'fast food'

By Laurie Gordon
Newton — Imagine starting your day or grabbing lunch or dinner on the run without having to compromise nutrition? That's now possible thanks to an ever expanding business called The Nutrition Store. With locations in Franklin, Sparta, most recently Newton (and possibly the Byram area in the near future), the store's on-the-go protein smoothies, juice bar and healthy wraps and salads have become a huge draw.
Owner Jerry Katzenstein said nutrition is a big part of his life now, but it wasn't always so. Ten years ago, he'd let himself slip.
“I just let myself go eating too much,” the Hamburg resident said. Enough was enough, and after getting back on track with his own diet and exercise and losing 100 pounds, he and his wife, Diana, decided to open The Nutrition Store in Franklin in 2009. That was the start, but the store's hallmark came a bit later when a friend convinced the Katzensteins to test out selling healthy smoothies.
“I thought no way were they going to sell,” Katzenstein said. He was wrong.
The combination of a high quality protein and other healthy ingredients mixed in a high caliber ice machine resulted in an overnight smoothie sensation. The smoothies, coupled with the popular idea of locally sourced food — chicken and steak from local butchers, produce from local businesses — enabled expansion into Sparta, in 2013, and last year into Newton. All smoothies are not created equally
What's not to like about a smoothie... especially now that it's summertime? They're popular and you can find them at fast food restaurants, coffee shops and even delis and grocery stores, but there can be a catch. While smoothies may sound healthy, sometimes they're anything but, when they include such ingredients as ice cream and sweetened syrups. In these cases they can mount up to around 600 calories, carbohydrate grams in the triple digits and enough saturated fat to rival a large cheeseburger. That's where The Nutrition Store's smoothies are very different.
“We don't add sugar," Katzenstein said. "It's just pure ingredients along with a high quality protein.”
The mix is a winner in both taste and nutrition with a large vanilla, for instance, containing just 190 calories and less than 10 grams of carbs.
The Nutrition Store's smoothie flavors include Chocolate, Mixed Berry, Chocolate Peanut Butter, PB&J, Banana Split, Chocolate Chip Mint, Banana Berry, Strawberry Banana, Cappuccino Rush, Peach Raspberry, Chocolate Mocha, Blueberry Muffin, Banana Nut, Mango Pineapple, Pineapple, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Cinnamon Swirl and Almond Joy. There are also special seasonal smoothies. Most can be made with almond milk and vegan protein.
The Nutrition Store's juices include a host of options ranging from apple and orange to Liver Detox, Carrots and Beets, The Green Machine and Lemon, Apple, Cucumber and Wheatgrass. A shot of wheatgrass can be added to any juice. Whole food drinks are made in a blender and include The Commuter (kale, spinach, banana, orange and mixed berries), and The Orange Berry Slushy (apple, orange, banana and mixed berries).The food menu includes a long list of wrap options which are also available in a bowl without the shell or with a gluten free wrap. There are also salads, quesadillas and a daily soup.
Katzenstein is not only committed to his stores, but really cares about his customers.
“I'm a blue collar guy and I want what's good nutrition for my customers and to keep the prices affordable. Sure we have employees to pay and overhead, but we keep our prices very reasonable and the food, juice and smoothies are high quality and healthy. The good thing about the store is we offer a lot of fresh, healthy food and the smoothies are a great way to cool down on a hot day while not compromising nutrition.”
The stores continue to sell protein powders and other supplements that are specifically hand-chosen by Katzenstein, but are focused primarily on their food items.
The Nutrition Store is located in Newton at 105 Water Street (Route 206 next to Chuck's Car Wash) 973-940-0622; at 270 Sparta Avenue in Upper Lake Plaza in Sparta, 973-726-3484; and in Franklin at 107 Route 23, 973-209-7761. Follow them on Facebook and customers are always welcome to call in their orders.