Broken Arm Inspires Proyo, Healthy Frozen Treat

Each ProYo Frozen Yogurt serving contains an impressive 20 grams of milk protein, live active probiotic cultures, added fiber and only 160 calories, packaged in a convenient 4-ounce squeeze tube.

Not that he was any stranger to frozen yogurt. At the time, Carey was the owner of Twin Cups, a popular drive-up spot in Santa Barbara he opened to offer custom-blended frozen yogurt, quality coffee, shakes and smoothies in the community he grew up in.

“While I was in physical therapy,” he recalls, “I noticed people were spending a lot of money on high-protein shakes and protein bars, but I could tell by their facial expressions that they were not enjoying them. Many of these products were laced with sugar and stabilizers, and weren’t that healthy. So I started experimenting at Twin Cups by making a high-protein yogurt treat that tastes great and could be eaten on the go at any time of day. And since I had broken my dominant arm and lost movement of my fingers, I couldn’t cut meat. It was important for me to develop something high in protein and easy to eat with one hand.”

After trying out an estimated 25-30 different types of proteins, consulting with nutritionists, seeking advice from family friends, and putting together a distinguished board of advisors including Balance Bar Co-founder Richard Lamb, ProYo was born. The “Anytime Frozen Treat” is crafted from a combination of creamy probiotic yogurt, protein and fruit.

Carey introduced ProYo locally in his Santa Barbara community at Twin Cups, several athletic clubs and a hospital in the area, to great response from parents, kids, athletes, and people who had difficulty eating enough protein due to illness or loss of appetite. They were enthusiastic about its creamy texture and outstanding flavors that other high-protein products often lack. It wasn’t long before people were placing large orders on-line and driving great distances to pick them up. With help from industry experts, Carey is expanding production to make ProYo easily available nationwide.

ProYo joins the fast-growing frozen yogurt retail category at a time when consumers are looking for functional foods that are tasty, low in calories and deliver health benefits such as protein, probiotics and calcium. Supermarket frozen yogurt sales shot up 17% between 2010 and 2012, according to industry research firm Mintel.

As for that arm, Nathan is back at the gym pressing 400 pounds and refueling with ProYo after his daily workouts.

Natural Products Expo West – Anaheim, Calif.

March 8-10, 2013, Booth #6405, in the NEXT PAVILION

ProYo will introduce a line-up of four great-tasting flavors at Natural Products Expo West: Vanilla Bean, Banana Vanilla, Blueberry Pomegranate and Dutch Chocolate. The nutritious “Anytime Frozen Treat” is low in fat and sugar, gluten- and soy-free, rBST- and rBGH-free, a good source of fiber, and contains no artificial colors or flavors. With 20 grams of protein in each 4-ounce serving, ProYo offers more protein per ounce than any of its competitors. Each ProYo squeeze tube is 160 calories (less than 20 from fat), delivers an estimated 200 billion live probiotic cultures, and provides 20% of an adult’s suggested daily calcium requirement.

ProYo will be made available to natural food stores along the West Coast by this summer. The super-premium treat will be sold individually or in 3-packs.

About ProYo

ProYo was founded on the belief that healthy living is a foundation for a fun and rewarding lifestyle. ProYo’s high-protein frozen yogurt delivers real nutritional benefits, convenience, and above all, great taste. ProYo is crafted from creamy probiotic yogurt and natural fruit to create a delicious and nutritious “anytime frozen treat” loaded with 20 grams of protein, and 20% of an adult’s daily calcium requirement. ProYo contains no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors and is ideal for people of all ages. Key benefits include high protein, healthy probiotics, low fat, good source of fiber, GMO-free, gluten- and soy-free, rBST- and rBGH-free, and no artificial flavoring. For more information, go to proyofrozenyogurt.com or visit us on Facebook, facebook.com/ProYoFrozenTreat.