Health-conscious students now have a dessert alternative.

Smoothie King, 432 E. College Ave., will sell smoothies with protein and immune system-building, energy-boosting powder supplements, said Alecia Kornacki, general manager.

The store will also sell health, energy and bodybuilding products, Kornacki said. These products can be added into the smoothies, much like the fruit and juices that are added, she said.

Among the products Smoothie King offers is creatine, a body building supplement that helps increase muscle mass and energy. Some have questioned the details regarding creatine's effectiveness, especially whether the supplement has any adverse side effects.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate creatine, although they have received some complaints, Ruth Prestia of the FDA said.

Though Kornacki recognizes the concern regarding creatine, she said the human body naturally produces the chemical, which can be consumed in red meat.

Creatine is not illegal, she added.

Kornacki said she does not foresee a problem with offering creatine to the general public.

People who have reported problems with supplement in the past usually do not drink enough water with it, Kornacki said.

"Too much of anything is bad," Kornacki said.

Smoothie King executives decided to open the store in State College because other branches of the franchise have proved successful near Big Ten schools, Kornacki said.

Establishing a Smoothie King at Ben and Jerry's old location, close to dorms and student apartments, provides the business with foot traffic, she said.

"I don't think it will hurt my business," said Troy Eap, manager of Bobalicious, 436 E. College Ave. "I think maybe it will help me out a little [bringing people] downtown this way -- maybe they'll stop by."

Kornacki said there will be little competition with Yogurt Express, 426 E. College Ave., because each business attracts different types of students.

Yogurt Express representatives declined to comment.

Most of the smoothies offered will not contain sugar, and will instead rely on fruit, water, ice, fruit juices and powder supplements for flavor, Kornacki said. Few of the smoothies contain frozen yogurt or ice cream, she added.

Pamphlets about product ingredients and general health will be distributed with each sale, she said.

Weight Watchers has assigned "points" to each drink for students on the diet, and many drinks follow the 30-30-40 plan -- 30 percent fat, 30 percent carbohydrates, 40 percent protein -- of the Zone Diet.