Smooth(ie) operators set to raise the bar in Wagga's health food scene

Health and fitness-conscious Wagga locals are set to rejoice with the opening of a new smoothie bar.

AcTeaV8 NUTRITION, in the Australian Arcade, will soon open its doors to the public.

Co-owner Mia Suleman, 20, hopes to serve her customers by the end of the month or early June.

The new health bar will offer what are described as delicious energy teas that are low in calories and free of sugar.

“The tea will give the energy kick, but it won’t be like caffeine, where you have a nice high and then a big crash,” Mia said. “It’s going to maintain your insulin levels.

“The energy teas are refreshing and sweet with flavours like cocktails, blue lagoon, peach, pineapple and more.

“We’re also going to have protein smoothies, which will have between 20 and 25 grams of protein.”

Mia said AcTeaV8 NUTRITION’s biggest draw point was that the healthy smoothies would not ”taste healthy”, but instead would feature such flavours as Mars, Snickers, Nutella and Biscoff.

“We’re going to be using protein with a chocolate base that will make it taste like it’s unhealthy, but it won’t be,” she said.

“We’ve also got fruity flavours, including blueberry, cheesecake and mango.”

For the opening, Mia will be offering a special drink named Wagga Sunset – a yellow and orange drink that will look just like a sunset.

Mia and her partner Jacob Laughton, 21, recently arrived from Sydney and found Wagga didn’t have many outlets serving nutritional fare.

“My partner and I are into nutrition, healthy eating and living, so we decided to bring this [AcTeaV8 NUTRITION] to the community,” Mia said.

“We didn’t see anything like AcTeaV8 NUTRITION in Wagga and we thought if we love the products we’re making at home, why not bring them to the community?

“We hope we will inspire Wagga to enjoy something new and nutritious that’s delicious, gives them a lot of energy and their nutrients for one day.”

Mia said her teas and smoothies weren’t just for fitness and health-conscious people.

“It’s something that can replace your frozen Coke and help those people who are trying to be healthy,” she said.

Mia said AcTeaV8 NUTRITION had been a few months in the making and with the help of her family, she completed the renovation in one weekend.

“It was a family and a team effort and we’re really happy with how it turned out,” she said.

Aside from working hard to open her new business, Mia is studying for a Bachelor of Oral Health degree at Charles Sturt University full time.

Mia’s partner is also working full time running a tiling company.

“This is going to be our new main thing … I’m not giving up uni and he’s not giving up on his business,” she said.

“But we realised there is something we want for Wagga and we’re going to make it happen no matter what.

“We didn’t start this business to make money, but it was something we wanted as a customer and there are other people in Wagga that want the same.”

Born and raised in the UK, Mia moved to Sydney in 2017 and then to Wagga in February for her tertiary education.

“Wagga is something new for us and we love the community, family-based lifestyle,” she said.

“Everyone in Wagga has been really lovely and friendly.”

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