Nutrition bar craze grips Memphis area
Salted Caramel, Reese’s, Blueberry Muffin, Cinnamon Toast and Strawberry Cheesecake. The menu at the new Nutrition smoothie bars reads like an ice cream shop or bakery, not a health food shop.
h While the flavors may be sinful, the shakes are not. Each protein shake has just 200 calories and only 11 to 15 grams of carbs. As an added bonus, each shake offers 24 grams of protein and 21 vitamins and minerals. h “It’s everything you need in a healthy meal,” said Seth Mcmurry, Nutrition Hub and Nutrition Bar co-owner. h This new smoothie bar concept that is spreading across the Memphis area started as a family affair. h Seth Mcmurry and his wife, Cymber, along with Seth’s brother Nathan Mcmurry and his wife, Katelyn, opened The Nutrition Hub in Germantown in April. It was the first of these smoothie bar and meal replacement shops to open in the area. h In September, the couples opened Nutrition Bar in Laurelwood in East Memphis. h The names of the two businesses are slightly different, but each offers a similar menu. The focus is on shakes, teas and aloe shots.
The shakes
The shakes are creamy, filling and surprisingly tasty. They taste like a sinful milkshake, not a healthy meal replacement.
“Protein shakes have been a big part of our life since we are athletes,” Katelyn said. “These are healthy, not chalky and taste like a dessert.”
The protein shakes are made with water and ice as the base. Using water instead of milk helps keep the calories down. Each shake is made with protein powder and Healthy Meal meal-replacement shake mixes from Herbalife Nutrition.
“We currently have three different protein powders and 11 healthy meal flavors,” Seth said of how they can make so many shake flavors. The current menu boasts about 40 flavors, and Seth is working on adding approximately 20 more flavors.
“These shakes give you everything you need in a full meal without the calories,” Seth said.
“Our shakes are a way to get a lot of protein in one meal with low calories,” Katelyn added. “When exercising, you need protein to build your muscles back up.”
So what to order? Start with some of the owners’ favorites. Katelyn’s favorite flavors are the Blueberry Muffin and Cinnamon Toast. Nathan goes for the Elvis, a chocolate, peanut butter and banana concoction, or Salted Caramel. At $8 per shake, it’s quick and affordable. See HUB, Page 2
“Our shakes are a way to get a lot of protein in one meal with low calories. When exercising, you need protein to build your muscles back up.”
Katelyn Mcmurry,