Video by Brian Rosenthal
A new Evanston business sees itself as a trailblazer, leading a charge to incorporate fresh, healthy protein into everyday foods.
Whey protein, made from a small part of the liquid left over in the cheese-making process, is a “wonderful nutrient,” said Daphne Mazarakis (McCormick ’94), the president and founder of Tula Foods, Inc. and the Better Whey of Life brand.
While whey protein has previously been used in supplements, Tula Foods is the first company to bring the protein into common foods.
“We’ve been in the marketplace since about September 2008, and we have not yet found another company that’s kind of doing what we’re doing,” the 37-year-old Mazarakis said. “So we’re very happy about that.”
In January 2008, Mazarakis started the business, which currently sells only yogurt but is looking to expand to other foods.
The product, six-ounce yogurt, launched in September. It comes in five flavors – plain, acai mixed berry, strawberry banana, peach mango and French vanilla, the owner said. It is made in Wisconsin and available in stores in 16 states, but the business is headquartered at 820 Davis St. in Evanston.
The business is planning a 2010 launch of a new food enhanced by whey protein, but Mazarakis declined to say what the new food will be.
“Whey protein is a wonderful nutrient,” said Mazarakis, who said she dropped a skirt size “without really trying” after incorporating whey protein into her diet. “If you ask any MD or any nutritionist, they will tell you that it is such a nutrient-rich protein.”
Kathy Duan said she eats the yogurt about four times a week when she gets it at her internship.
“It’s so good,” the Medill sophomore said. “It’s really healthy. I just started running long distance. It’s a nice pre- or post-workout food.”
