Got Energy?

While this may not be the current slogan for energy drinks, maybe it should be.  The marketers for milk have done wonders selling the white mustache to families across the country.  I can’t think of one person I know who wouldn’t love more energy….can you?

Gimme More Energy, Pretty Please!

Our sleep patterns aren’t what they used to be.  We stay up late and get up early.  We’re hooked on T.V. and work.  Not only do we go to bed late and get up early, we also don’t sleep soundly throughout the night.  We wake up saying, “I need more energy” and so our first instinct is to head to the kitchen and pour ourselves a dose of caffeine to stimulate the senses and awaken the mind.

In the classroom, sports field and at the office we find ourselves entering mid-day slumps.  We need a pick me up and fast!!  So, we head to the vending machine for some artificial stimulation in the form of sugary treats and caffeinated beverages.

Isn’t there a better choice?  There is.  Yes, there definitely is.  The answer is more sleep & hydration, stress management & taking a look inside at our cellular energy, detoxification abilities, body inflammation, and B-vitamin insufficiencies.

It’s Not Your Fault.

Innocently many of us fall victim to the ways of our culture.  We live in a complex world and it is too easy to make poor choices…because poor choices are readily available and for many, all that we are familiar with.

We don’t realize the true power of a healthy, balanced diet or the importance of nutritional testing to determine our nutrient insufficiencies.  We also don’t realize how important sleep and stress reduction techniques are to our overall well-being….we take all of this and more for granted…and we keep going and going and going until we eventually crash.

We Reach For Energy Drinks Because:

1. We’re tired and we want a fast, quick, easy fix.  We want to be alert.
2. We’re overachievers and we want to perform on the playing field or in our work space at our very best.
3. Advertisers and Marketers have convinced us that everything (yes, everything) is safe.

The Names Say It All.

With names like Rockstar, Cocaine, Red Bull, No Fear, Monster, Red Thunder, Liftoff, King 888, Jolt, Hell, Guru, Full Throttle, Burn and Demon, what’s not to love?

And to top it off, marketers have convinced us that these drinks contain powerful nutrients that are natural and health promoting.  Did someone say health promoting?

Even the FDA has suggested a limit on caffeine.  For years they’ve recommended   no more than 65mg per 12oz serving of soda.  Energy drinks can offer twice that amount or much more.

According to Dr. Oz’s show from last week, most energy drinks are equivelant to 6, yes 6, cups of coffee.  Imagine your teen or 20-something drinking two of those a night with alcohol – it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Did you know that SoBe’s No Fear has 141 mg of caffeine?  No big deal, right?  Well that is the equivalent of drinking five cans of Coke.  This might make you think twice prior to consumption.  And be sure to share this with your loved ones too….everyone needs to know these figures because the marketers aren’t telling you all the facts….and why should they?  They are just doing their job and doing it very well I might add.

Health Promoting?

Energy drinks will…

• Dehydrate you.
• Put you at serious risk for a heart attack and/or stroke (An Australian study showed that consuming just one can will increase the stickiness of blood cells).
• Increase the production of stress hormones.  This will interfere with weight loss, hormonal balance, sleep, and more.
• Up your anxiety level & cause adrenal burnout.
• Deplete you of important vitamins and minerals that are crucial for cellular energy & functioning.
• Stimulate your Central Nervous System which may cause behavioral issues in children, ADD, nausea and more.

Mixology: What Happens When Alcohol Is Added?

When alcohol is added to energy drinks, you’re in trouble.  A stimulant with a depressant is disastrous and I’d imagine for some, life threatening.  France and Denmark (and probably other countries too) have banned the sale of Red Bull due to reported deaths from this deadly concoction.  Combing alcohol to caffeine will result in severe dehydration (those ice cubes won’t help much) but even worse heart problems and impaired judgement with artificial alertness.

You Are Addicted.

If you consume any sort of energy drink or caffeinated beverage…and this includes soda, you are addicted.

Try going a day without your beverage of choice and you will most likely experience major withdrawal symptoms like headaches, mood swings, jitters and difficulty concentrating.  It is not fun but a good reminder to us of the powerful effects that these drinks hold over us.

Go Natural.

While there are no flashy names or slogans, you can get a healthy kick from a variety of healthy products.

The herb Rhodiola has been scientifically shown to reduce stress, increase energy and support the adrenals.  Peppermint oil also has therapeutic benefits by increasing mental alertness.  One of my favorite caffeine substitutes is a coffee replacement called Teechino.  I find that most of my clients don’t even really like the taste of coffee.  Instead they enjoy the aroma, ritual and warming effects.

Hydrating, sleep and stress reduction are also huge.  Getting some daily exercise can also be extremely energizing.

Still Fatigued and Can’t Figure Out Why?

Afraid to go through withdrawl symptoms?  Consider looking at the root cause for your fatigue and figuring out some ways to nutritionally support your system as you ease off your addiction.  Going cold turkey is NOT a good idea.  The Energy Essentials Profile is a great entry point to identify your metabolic abnormalities when fatigue is your main complaint.

What has been your experience with energy drinks?  Do you consume them?  How do you feel when you are on them?  Remember, you can be a Rockstar without all that sugar & caffeine!

December is a time when our body requires extra nourishment due to limited hours of sunlight and the year end frenzy (shopping, socializing, family drama, etc).  We may receive subtle signals that “down time” is needed but often the pull towards  festive holiday social gatherings  is greater.

Instead of going into complete hibernation to avoid this dilemma, we must use our creative juices to come up with fun and satisfying ways for staying healthy during the holidays while still enjoying life and the party.

Tomorrow night I hope you will join me as I present  many healthy holiday eating and living strategies at Gallery Kitchens of Westport.  In the meantime, here are 3 simple starter tips that are often overlooked.   Let’s make this holiday your healthiest!

Image by a song under the sugar sugar

Concerned about gaining weight over the next 20+ days?  On average, Americans will add on about 1 pound total from now through the New Year.  This figure does not seem like a lot but remember, this an average calculation.  Many will gain more while the extra dedicated could shed a few.  The real problem is when these pounds accumulate over time…December comes along one too many times!

First:  Indulge In Half!

Are you making a cookie recipe that calls for sugar?  I suggest you cut the amount down by half.   If you are concerned about your guests not enjoying the treats as much, sample the batter before it goes into the oven.  95% of recipes include much more sugar than our taste buds really need or even desire.

Are you heading to a party that is serving alcohol and/or pigs in a blanket?  I suggest you cut your portions down to half.  That’s right, instead of 2 glasses of Cabernet, have one.  For your second glass, try sparkling water with a splash of cranberry.  If appetizers gets passed around, take half of what you would normally consume.  Concerned that you’ll still be hungry?  Hydrate prior to the party and fill up on healthy food from home first.

Second: It’s All About Location

If the hostess is circulating around the room with fried delights, do not stand by the kitchen.  Instead, socialize in an area that is the farthest away from the oven.  You’ll be glad you did!

Or, if you are at a sit down dinner, keep the side dish of vegetables nearby and the bread rolls closer to your neighbor.

Third: Incorporate Frequent Movement

Don’t have time for the gym?  Take a walk around the block after dinner or do some sit-ups nightly to keep the body burning fat.  Get up from your desk in the middle of the day and do 20 jumping jacks or grab a co-worker and always choose the stairs over the elevator.  These brief yet energizing movements will not only prevent added poundage, they will help you focus better throughout the day by reducing stress and invigorating your daily work routine.

Keep Your Creative Juices Flowing….

There are only good ideas when it comes to healthy holiday eating strategies so make a list of three things that you will start today to help gear you up for this fun time of year.  Recruit a friend to hold you accountable or keep a journal to document your successes and struggles.

I can’t wait to explore more tips with you tomorrow night (December 2nd) at Gallery of Kitchens!  Do you have a great tip that’s worked for you that  I need to know about?  Please comment below and share your favorites!