Anthony and Danielle Carolina recently opened Protein Paradise at 18011 S. Tamiami Trail, Unit 16, in south Fort Myers. In the same plaza as San Carlos Park’s Planet Fitness, the new shop is solely focused on protein intake and healthy living.
Protein Paradise offers B12 refreshers, protein smoothies and protein meals. The B12 refreshers are offered in 14 different flavors, including passion fruit, pina colada, mango berry and ocean water, which Anthony Carolina describes as a blue raspberry flavor.
Additionally, the B12 refreshers are packed with fresh fruit, aloe, B12, B6, vitamin C and vitamin D. “It’s more of a refreshing drink if you’re thirsty and you want energy,” Carolina said. “You could also add protein to these drinks, but that’s not really as popular. If somebody wants protein, they’re going to go for the smoothies.”
The smoothies are intended to be filling and act as a meal replacement, with 16 flavors offered, including key lime pie, ultimate chocolate, orange creamsicle and peanut butter cup.
Between 200 and 250 calories each, the smoothies also contain 24 to 27 grams of protein, 4.5 grams of fat, 3 grams of fiber and 17 grams of carbs.
Each 32-ounce refresher costs $11, while each 20-ounce smoothie costs $9.50, as is. “I also wanted to do something that was affordable,” Carolina said. “Just to be healthy, period, is not cheap. So, I tried to think of other people and their wallets.”
As for the protein meals, waffles, crepes, pancakes, French toast and acai bowls are on the menu. Toppings such as fruity pebbles, Nutella and chocolate chips also can be added to the meals, with the waffles and French toast being the best sellers so far.
The protein meals are 300 calories with 30 grams of protein, 22 grams of carbs and 7 grams of fiber.
Protein treats, including donuts at 100 calories with 15 grams of protein and cheesecake slices at 175 calories with 15 grams of protein, are also offered at Protein Paradise. Everything is made fresh and uses low-fat or nonfat ingredients.
The idea for Protein Paradise began when Carolina first moved to the area from New York nearly two years ago. Amazing Healthy Spot on Colonial Boulevard is where Carolina was first introduced to the protein shake and breakfast concept.
At the time, Carolina said he was about 60 pounds heavier and like many, skeptical of the protein meal replacements shakes. It wasn’t until he began to build a relationship and take advice from Amazing Healthy Foods Owner Sergio Ramirez that Carolina began to see results.
“He was telling me to try to replace one or two meals a day with these protein shakes,” he said. “I’m skeptical a lot of times, but I did that for a little bit and little by little, the weight started coming off.”
Along with shedding some pounds, Carolina said he began to feel better too, making him a believer in the product. Soon after, the Carolinas took the advice of their new friend Ramirez and opened Protein Paradise.
Along with the Carolinas’ and Ramirez’s shop, Carolina said a recently opened shop in Lehigh Acres called Da House of Protein at 1100 Homestead Road N., Suite B, is considered their sister store, owned by Robert Moya.
While operating as separate entities, Carolina said the three are a family and will continue opening more protein-based shops locally, already having an eye on another location in Fort Myers. For Carolina, what it all comes down to is giving people the opportunity to better themselves.
“For me, I feel 100 times better now that I lost the weight,” he said. “I just want to pass that on to somebody else, because it really is life changing.”
Protein Paradise is open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.
