LANSING, Ill. (December 18, 2023) – A healthy oasis has sprung up in a nondescript strip mall just off Burnham Ave. Amidst a laundromat, a Chinese restaurant, a Mexican grocery store, and an ice cream shop Fonseca Nutrition has emerged, located at 3208 171st St.
Liz Fonseca, who also owns similar stores in Chicago and Midlothian, opened the Lansing location that she shares with three other owners in July.
“This one is a family business,” she said. That is because in addition to a friend of hers, Liz’s mother and aunt are also owners.
“It’s a healthy café,” Fonseca said. “So everything in our menu is very low in carbs and sugars.”
The importance of healthy eating
Fonseca said everything sold contains Herbalife products.
According to the Herbalife website, it is a global leader in nutrition that has for over 40 years developed meal replacement shakes and dietary supplements.
Fonseca practices what she preaches, as she started taking Herbalife products because of panic attacks and ended up losing over 60 lbs., combined with exercise and making healthier food choices.
“I notice that a lot of people that are dealing with depression and panic attacks and a lot of mental health issues and stuff, it starts with our eating habits,” she said.
She used to live in Lansing, and Fonseca said one thing that appealed to her about the location was that there tend to be more fast food places instead of healthier options in lower-income areas. She wanted to do something about that.
Fonseca said mornings are a popular time for people to visit the Lansing store as customers get their energy drinks with Vitamin B12 and meal replacement shakes.
Other items sold include protein waffles, protein crepes, and fruit bowls.
“We have a tea that’s specific for people that have high blood pressure,” Fonseca said.
She said the most popular items are protein bowls and crunch cups, which involve a meal replacement shake that tastes similar to ice cream along with granola and fruit.
People can have enhancers added to their purchases, such as fiber, collagen, Vitamin C, and fat burners.
Fonseca believes outlooks have changed since COVID.
“I think we have realized more how healthy we need to become, and we weren’t healthy as much,” Fonseca said.
Coming to Lansing
Brenda Castro, Liz’s aunt and one of the Lansing store owners, said high traffic on Burnham Ave. made her think the location would be a good one.
“There’s a lot of people that go to the little shops that are next door,” Castro said.
Much like Fonseca, Castro has lost 50 lbs. while taking Herbalife, eating healthier, and going to the gym occasionally.
“I believe in the product,” Castro said. “It works.”
It is also dog-friendly, as evidenced by the presence of Fonseca’s canine companion, Turbo.
“If you want to be healthy, you want to come here,” Fonseca said.
Fonseca Nutrition in Lansing is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
