The Energy Drink Blog

Creating a culture of its own, the Atkins Diet is based on the concepts of low carbohydrate intake. When the Atkins Diet’s popularity spiked at the beginning of the millennia, approximately one in eleven adults in America were participating in the latest weight loss craze. With the population so fascinated with Atkins, many companies scrambled to market to this new weight loss craze.  

Misconceptions about the diet have put a skewed picture of the diet in the eyes of the public. To begin with some background information, the Atkins diet was formulated based on an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association by Dr. Robert Atkins. This diet was a response by Atkins to control the weight he gained during medical school and medical training. The diet is broken down into a four step plan that participants flow through when certain weight loss goals are met.

The Atkins Diet is broken down into a four step plan: induction, ongoing weight loss, pre-maintenance and lifetime maintenance.  While the diet drastically restricts the carbohydrate intake in the induction phase, it is often overlooked that once weight loss is achieved, carbohydrate intake is gradually introduced back into the diet, thus opponents of the diet have labeled it as the “all-you-can-eat” steak” diet.

How Atkins Really Works

As previously mentioned, Atkins is a four step process. Step one, the induction phase limits carbohydrate intake to 20 net grams per day.  During this phase, unlimited amounts of shellfish, meat and eggs are allowed.  It is important to note that 15 grams of carbohydrates must come from green vegetables. With such a presence of protein and lack of carbohydrates, the appetite is also suppressed, much similar to how the appetite is suppressed with Hoodia Gordonii.

The second phase of Atkins begins once a desirable amount of weight has been lost. Ongoing weight loss, as it is know as, involves the reintroduction of foods into the diet at a slow pace. Food groups that one does not intend to eat can be eliminated altogether.

Moving along to the third stage is pre-maintenance. This is the stage where the maximum number of carbohydrates that can be consumed without gaining weight is determined. This is done by adding 5 net carbohydrates per week.

Finally the fourth stage of Atkins is maintenance. This is the stage where healthy eating has become a lifestyle. This can be done by having someenergy drinks for breakfast, and sensible dinners and snack.

While Atkins may not be the optimal solution for everyone, others have found it to be the best way to lose weight.

One of the classic scenes from the television show Friends is when Joey shows up to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner in a pair of maternity pants. Otherwise known as his “Thanksgiving pants” these pants surely allow for an expanding waistline and maximum food consumption. This may seem like an ingenious plan for Turkey Day, but what about the days following when surely the only pants that will fit him are maternity pants.  Unless you are a fictional character on television that can eat all you want and not gain an ounce, you are probably in the market for some type of preventative weight management tool.

Those who are like Joey with an insatiable appetite have found sanctuary in a natural plant called Hoodia Gordonii. This plant, which is native to Africa, has been used for thousands of years by natives to keep away hunger. Recently becoming more mainstream, Hoodia has become a popular appetite suppressant. Through the process of tricking the mind into thinking that it is full, Hoodia enables thousands of people to safely and effectively lose weight. While there are many appetite pills on the market today, 100 percent pure Hoodia pills are the best diet pills available.

Even though the holiday season is approaching on us, it may be easy to come up with excuses to veer from our diets. During these times it is important to remember that the best way to lose weight is to maintain a regular diet and exercise program that includes various physical activities as well as well balanced meals.

Green tea was first discovered in China centuries ago and recognized for its disease fighting and immune strengthening properties due to the high amount of antioxidants it holds. Recent studies have shown that by consuming green tea each day you can drastically reduce the risk of several health issues.

One of the benefits of drinking green tea is that it reduces the risk of various cancers such as stomach, skin, breast, or prostate cancer because of antioxidant compounds known as polyphenols. Polyphenols helps to neutralize free radicals that cause damage to cells and tissues which lead to cancer.

Green tea provides heart protection and prevents heart disease because it relaxes blood vessels and inhibits the formation of blood clots. It also improves cholesterol levels by decreasing LDL, which is bad cholesterol and increasing HDL which is the good cholesterol.

In various studies, phytoestrogens have been found in green tea leaves. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that can improve bone mass in individuals who are at risk of developing osteoporosis, especially women going through menopause. Drinking green tea can increase bone density and build strong bones.

Another common reason why people drink green tea is because of the weight loss benefits it holds. Studies show drinking green tea regularly can boost metabolism, reduce overall body fat, and help control appetite. It’s also a great way to stay energized throughout the day because of the natural caffeine it contains. Green tea contains about 14-37mg of caffeine per serving which is still much less than coffee and other caffeinated beverages. It provides a natural boost of energy for the body without hard crash like effects from high amounts of caffeine. Those that suffer from diabetes can benefit as well because it contains hypoglycemic agents that boost blood sugar metabolism more effectively and stabilize glucose levels in the body.

There are over 450 organic compounds found in green tea containing minerals, proteins, amino acids, and vitamins. By drinking 3 or more cups a day you can improve your health, prevent various diseases and slow the aging process significantly.

Research has found that by consuming particular fats you can decrease body fat and increase weight-loss more efficiently. It may seem a bit odd that you would eat fat to lose fat but studies show that a group of fats known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can do just that.

One of the richest sources of MCTs comes from coconut oil. Coconut oil has been getting a lot of attention over the last few years for its ability to help overweight people shed excess body fat by substituting it daily in replacement of other fats.

The benefits of this oil are truly amazing even compared to healthy fats such as olive oil or flaxseed oil. Coconut oil can inhibit and treat obesity more effectively because it contains fewer calories than other fats. It is also a source of fuel and energy for the body because it gets used immediately rather than circulating in the blood stream and getting stored in fat cells. This also means that you will actually experience a natural surge in energy that lasts much longer than a dose of caffeine would. Coconut oil increases metabolism so you burn a lot more calories by consuming it over any other fat. It is also more filling and keeps you satiated longer which means you consume fewer calories. Unlike typical bad fats that raise cholesterol, it can reduce bad cholesterol and raise the good.

Coconut oil is commonly found in drinks and healthy snack items because it gives athletes energy while helping them stay lean. It also helps those that are overweight and obese lose weight more rapidly. As an oil you can add it to salads and vegetables, as a spread you can replace butter or margarine, or for a more convenient way, you can take it in soft gel capsule form. Because weight-loss results are so astounding, it is encouraged to use it as frequently as you like as it will help achieve better results and better health.

Your blood type may determine your predisposition to various health issues such as cancer, heart disease, allergies, or diabetes. There are 4 major blood types; O, A, B, and AB. Most people have type O blood while A and B are fairly common and AB is considered atypical. Eating particular foods based on blood type may relieve certain digestive problems such as bloating, indigestion, gas, heartburn, and upset stomach. Ultimately proper digestion is important in providing the body with nutrients to sustain good health. There is enough evidence now that shows us if we eat specific foods according to blood type and refrain from those that are not recommended, we may be able to eliminate a variety of health problems and lose weight more effectively.

Type O blood is the most common blood group and the oldest blood group known to mankind. The basic diet of people with type O blood requires protein, vegetables, and fruit. However, people with this blood type do not digest carbohydrates well especially from white flour or wheat products because of the gluten intolerance. Dairy is also another food group that can be difficult to digest for this blood group. People who have type O blood generally produce higher amounts of hydrochloric acid and should refrain from things that have a high acidity levels such as coffee and alcohol as they can greatly increase the chances of a peptic ulcer. Healthy foods that assist in weight-loss for this group of people are various sources of lean red meat, fish, and leafy green vegetables. The best forms of exercise to engage in for this blood type are walking, jogging, aerobics, and light weight training.

Type A blood evolved after type O blood was first discovered. Individuals with this blood group are classic vegetarians because they do not digest most animal proteins and dairy well. They do much better eating foods such as whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and tofu. Type A blood groups tend to lack sufficient hydrochloric acid which makes digesting protein and dairy very difficult. It is very important that people with type A blood supplement vitamin B-12 as most sources of B-12 come from protein. It is also more common to face anemia issues if you are type A blood from the lack of B-12 in the diet. Foods that assist in weight-loss are vegetables, pineapple, flaxseed and olive oils, and spirulina which is a green algae that promotes thyroid function. The best exercises to engage are calming things such as yoga, pilates, or golfing.

Type B blood group has a tolerance for most foods with the exception of peanuts, legumes, and corn as these increase weight and can cause allergies. It is common for people with type B blood to have problems digesting gluten just as type O blood types do. Foods that encourage weight-loss for these individuals are lean red meats, various sources of fish, green leafy vegetables, and oils like flaxseed and olive oil. Most forms of exercise are ok for this blood group as well.

The last blood type is the rarest and the most recent, AB. For the most part these individuals produce a limited amount of hydrochloric acid and must limit their consumption of animal protein. AB blood types can eat various green vegetables, pineapple, and small amounts of protein. Foods that encourage weight-loss include seafood, green vegetables, sea kelp, spirulina, and pineapple. Most exercise is generally accepted for this blood group but anything overly intense or grueling is not recommended as this increases stress in the body.

Antioxidants are nutrients naturally found in the foods we eat. They offer protection to our cells from oxidative damage. They also slow the aging process and prevent various illnesses and diseases. Some of the most common health problems associated with oxidative damage can be cancer, heart disease, eye problems, or diabetes. This is why eating a diet loaded in antioxidants is so essential. Although there are various sources of food that contain them, they can also be found in supplement form as well. Here are some common antioxidants found in the foods we eat.

Vitamin A is found in many orange or brightly colored vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, peaches, squash, tomatoes, apricots, kale, or broccoli as well as a variety of sources of protein. These sources contain what is known as beta-carotene which is a nutrient that converts to vitamin A as the body needs it. Vitamin A is beneficial for eye health, skin, cancer prevention, strong bone health, and protection from bacterial and viral infections. Since beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body, you should try to get it from your diet first because it is a fat soluble vitamin is not excreted daily.

Vitamin C is commonly found in all citrus fruits, leafy greens, strawberries, and tomatoes. It is an antioxidant that can prevent and protect the body from illness, increase immunity and energy, protect cells from cancer, and stimulate collagen production. Vitamin C can also be supplemented daily because it is a water soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body. The recommended daily requirement can range from 500-2000mg depending on individual needs.

Vitamin E is generally found in most nuts, various greens, and fruits such as kiwis or mangos. It is vital for protecting the skin from any kind of ultra violet light or skin damage. It helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, and stretch marks when applied topically. When taken internally it can help prevent muscle cramping, asthma, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, prostate, and breast cancer. A general recommended daily dose is 200-400mcg in supplement form deriving from a natural source. Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin so depending on how much you get from your diet can also determine how much to supplement.

Selenium is a trace mineral that is commonly known for protecting against various cancers. It can be found in nuts and almost all animal proteins. The recommended daily intake is about 200mcg and can be taken in supplement form.

Although antioxidants may be supplemented, it is best to attain them from a diet with a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and protein to gain the benefits of their protection.