These days energy is a pricey commodity. It comes in the form of an espresso, a liquid “shot” you can buy at a convenience store, or in a shiny silver can. But what exactly do these products do, are they safe for you and what are healthy alternatives?
Most “energy drinks” are stimulants made with high concentrations of caffeine and sugar; throw a few vitamins in the blend and advertisers have you believing you’re doing something good for your body. False. That combination, despite giving you a temporary boost, is not always safe, especially during exercise or taken in high doses. According to a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, some energy drinks contain “as much as 14 cans of Coca-Cola.”1 And Liz Applegate, a sports nutritionist at the University of California at Davis, says that energy drinks are “a bad idea for athletes.” Furthermore, she states, “They should not be consumed during exercise, [as] they have caffeine and are too concentrated in sugar. That’s going to slow the body’s ability to absorb water.”2
So, what’s a safer alternative to a good cup of joe or a mid-afternoon pig-out on sugar cookies? Here are five good substitutes:
- Exercise: Like it or not, exercise is your most direct route to pure, natural energy. That doesn’t have to mean a complete lifestyle overhaul. But it might mean making time for a daily, brisk walk or a bike ride (c’mon, you can’t spare ten minutes a day?). Don’t go for the quick fix. Don’t buy energy, work for it. The benefits are enormous: increased stamina and energy, enhanced self-esteem, and improved physical, mental and emotional well-being. It even boosts your sex life. Need I say more?
- Remove caffeine from your diet completely: Caffeine is a paradox. The more energy it gives you, the more energy you ultimately lose. As an addictive substance, it causes depression, sleepiness and complete lack of energy if you don’t have it. (Ever run late for work and forget your morning cup of coffee? One word: headache.) The more you drink it, the more you need it. But when you remove it completely from your diet (give it a month to clear out of your system entirely), your body is able to revert to its natural state of homeostasis. If that sounds too hooey, it’s not. Your body seeks balance at all times. And when it’s off balance, it has to work extra hard to regain stability. Coffee, alcohol and drugs all change the chemical balance of your body. Remove them and your body is once again able to produce energy on its own.
- Sleep: Sleep-deprived people are energy-starved people. You can’t use food, coffee or energy drinks to compensate for lack of sleep. Sorry! Your body needs valuable repair time. The better your diet (i.e., the more raw foods you add to it), the less sleep you might need. But sleep, nonetheless, is essential for building energy. Do what you need to do. Take naps, look into all-natural sleep aids (not drugs; they will zap your energy), and learn calming techniques that aid nighttime sleep schedules.
- Stretch: If a heavy-duty cardio workout isn’t your thing or if you need to keep exercise to low-impact workouts, add stretching to your routine instead. Stretching the muscles causes you to breathe deeply and brings oxygen to your brain. It also encourages oxygen to your muscles. More oxygen equals more natural energy!
- Eat well: The less junk foods you eat, the less chance of experiencing the dreaded food coma 20 minutes after. Foods rich in protein, non-starchy vegetables and healthy fats like omega-3s, help the body produce energy naturally. When added to your diet, they provide long-lasting energy. Perfect example: Athletes tend to eat pasta the night before a race, a small bowl of oatmeal the morning of, and a protein drink after, for recovery. Whole-grain pastas, for example, can easily be converted into energy by the body. And that beats any fake chemical drink that comes in a can.
Other important tips for energy enhancement:
- Drink lots of water: As reported in WebMd, “Sometimes, even slight dehydration can leave you feeling tired and lethargic,” says nutritionist Keith Ayoob, EdD, RD, an associate professor at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York and author of “The Uncle Sam Diet.”
- Spend time with positive people: According to WebMd, “To increase the amount of energy in your life long-term, experts suggest surrounding yourself with positive people whenever possible.”
- Supplement your diet: Magnesium, B-vitamins, omega-3s and Orosine are all-natural energy-enhancing nutrients, vitamins and minerals that should be added to your diet. Although they don’t work like a caffeine drink or stimulant, they do encourage the body to convert glucose (sugar) to energy.
Coming up next week: A Day in the Life of a Health Nut: Is It for You?
1. http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/3912
2. http://archives.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/diet.fitness/05/29/energy.drinks.02/
Tags: energy, energy products, energy vitamins, health, res-q energy, res-q health, sleep and energy, your energy, your health
