The Energy Drink Blog

It has been found that most Americans are not getting enough nutrients and vitamins with their daily intake of food. With an increasing number of people over weight, this can be hard to believe, however with further analysis into the situation it can be seen that most people get their nutrition from diets that are loaded with sugar, sodium and other unhealthy ingredients. This lack of whole, unprocessed foods could be a major reason for missing dietary essentials and an obese population.

Some of the essentials that most people are missing include calcium, fiber and vitamins. There are many ways however, to increase intake of these essential nutrients without having to buy diet pills. These ways include changing the diet to include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as whole grain foods. Low fat dairy products are also essential because they are an excellent source of protein, and calcium.

As anyone who has recently tried to lose weight knows, foods rich in protein and fiber are essential to feeling fuller and burning calories. Eating foods that make us feel full help cut back on the calories that we take in daily. Eating these foods also help supply our bodies with elements such as potassium and magnesium which are critical for proper cell reproduction and function.

Not only will making simple diet changes improve health, changing the foods we eat can help us lose weight and prevent the likeliness of suffering from diseases such as cancer and others.

Did you know that the human body is more that 65% water? Everything from our blood, muscles, brain, and bones are comprised of a significant percentage of water. Water is a vital element for sustaining life and body functions. Unfortunately most of us do not drink nearly enough water and are dehydrated. Dehydration can have a negative effect on our bodily systems. To further illustrate this read the following.

Often times thirst can be mistaken for hunger. If we feel hungry, it is often that we are not hungry, but rather thirsty. A way to be sure that we are giving our body adequate hydration is to drink water even when we are not thirsty. Usually, once we realize that we are thirsty, it is too late and we are already dehydrated.

Aside from keeping us hydrated, drinking water is also necessary for those who are trying to lose weight. Drinking water not only helps us to feel full, but it also helps to flush our body of toxins and helps aid fiber in the digestion process.

If you often feel tired, it could be because you are not hydrated enough. When there is not enough water in the blood, it slows down the body functions and often leaves us feeling sluggish and tired. Headaches and constipation can also result from dehydration.

To prevent dehydration from occurring, it is recommended that ½ to ¾ of an ounce of water be consumed daily per pound of body weight. This will ensure that the body is properly flushed of toxins and waste. Staying hydrated will also help keep the skin looking young and plump and full. Water can also give definition to muscles.

If drinking water seems too bland, water can be mixed with low calorie and low sugar mixes, as well as whey protein. For those who want to drop some pounds, hoodia extract can be mixed with water to suppress the appetite.

Choosing the right foods to snack on is very important, especially for eating properly after a workout. It is important to building lean muscle mass and quickly repair muscles. While working out, the body depletes its source of glycogen. Not replenishing your body of this will likely cause fatigue and poor performance during future workouts.

Eating snacks that are a combination of carbohydrates and protein is the ideal post workout snack.  To achieve optimum benefits from a post work out snack, the snack should be consumed 30 minutes post workout and another meal should be eaten about 2 hours after the snack. Choosing snacks that are low in sugar is also important.

As mentioned before, the ideal post work out snack is a low sugar combination of protein and carbohydrates. Some of the following snacks are not only great to help lose weight, but are also great for post workout.

1. Protein shake with fruit: Mixing up a whey protein shake with some frozen fruit after a workout may seem like a decadent treat, but this is on of many weight loss tips. As bodybuilders know, whey protein is quickly digested and absorbed into the body providing quick energy and recovery.
2. Energy drinks: Finding the best energy drink and weight pills is very important to maintain weight loss. Be careful when choosing an energy drink as most of these drinks are saturated with sugar! It is very crucial to find a drink that will send you into an energy crash after consumption, or disrupt sleep patterns at night.
3. Lean meat with cheese: You can skip the bread this time around. Enjoying a slice of lunch meat and cheese will provide essential protein and calcium post work out. Enjoying a few slices of fruit along side will also provide adequate carbohydrates and fiber to keep you feeling fuller for the rest of the day.

It is important to eat small meals throughout the day to help keep hunger cravings under control. If you are tired of the same old snack options and are looking for something new and exciting to much on this New Year consider the following food options.

1.       Fruit: More than just the common apples, oranges, and bananas, there are plenty of other fruit options available to consumers these days. Most grocery stores offer very exotic fruits. Trying something new can help keep snack time fresh, new and exciting. Be daring and try a fruit that you have not tried before such as papaya, star fruit, or anything else that sparks some interest. These fruits can also be blended with whey protein powder to create a delicious and nutritious snack.

2.       Hummus: Even those most people only eat this at Mediterranean restaurants, this is a quick and easy snack that can be made by blending together heart healthy olive oil, protein packed chick peas, and a combination of any of the following: cilantro, red pepper, garlic, lemon juice, eggplant and cayenne pepper. This can be spread on pita bread or wraps. It is also great when accompanied by freshly cut up pepper, cucumbers, carrots, celery sticks and other vegetables.

3.       Flavored teas: Brewing up a fresh cup of tea is a great way to indulge in a variety of flavors without adding calories. There are great and wide selections of teas available, some of which also include chocolate and caramel flavorings. These drinks will take your taste buds on an adventure without ruining the diet. Some teas, such as hoodia tea, are also great options for weight loss.

Additionally, some teas serve as great herbal remedies in that they help to promote sleep and clear minds, as well as alleviate headaches. These teas often contain peppermint, and chamomile.

Basal Metabolic Rate or BMR as it is referred to is the amount of calories that the body needs to consume to maintain existence. This value is usually determined when the body is at rest, usually in the morning when you first wake up and are still. Those who seek weight loss tips often are guided to this number as a first step in losing weight.

Studies show that approximately 70 percent of the calories that are burned in a day are devoted to BMR.  Ten percent of calories consumed are needed to digest food and the remaining twenty percent of calories are assigned to other activities such as exercising and going about daily routines.

In general the formula for BMR is pretty good estimate of needed caloric intake, however there are other contributing factors that influence a person’s BMR. These factors include lean muscle mass, physical state, and overall health. As is well known, strength training is an essential factor for weight loss and for increasing the number of calories burned.  This gives way to the fact that people who have more lean muscle mass than those who do not, may have a higher BMR, since they are constantly burning more calories.

There are other factors that can affect the BMR of an individual and that is the stage in life in which they are in. For example, women who are in menopause may notice changes in weight due to changes in metabolic rate. How this does in fact affect an individual is dependent on the individual make up of every unique person. Some people may find that their BMR increases while in others it decreases.

Using a BMR calculator is a good way to decide how to adjust the diet in order to lose weight. BMR calculators use factors such as age, gender and height to figure the caloric intake that should be consumed. This is a great tool, however it is important to never go below 1200 calories a day in order to maintain proper nutrition.

A lot of us feel the strain of everyday life on our energy. Taking care of kids, preparing meals, completing daily housework and working full time can surely take its toll on our bodies. We tend to feel tired long before we are through with the day. A lot of us resort to energy drinks and other caffeine infused beverages as a means of replenishment; however, sometimes the easiest lifestyle adjustments can help us get our focus and energy back.

One way to gain our energy back is to eat a healthy diet. Believe it or not certain foods can make us feel sleepy and heavy. That is why it is important to stay away from fried foods and anything else which appears heavy and hard to digest. Certain foods which are recommended for anyone wanting to increase their energy are lean meats (such as lean pork and skinless chicken), smart carbs, and nuts. Lean meats are beneficial because they contain an amino acid known as tyrosine. Tyrosine boosts our levels of dophamine and neropinephrine, both of which stimulate our brain activity and help us feel more alert and focused. Smart carbs (such as whole grains, whole wheat bread, brown rice, and cereal) are also beneficial at increasing our energy and focus. This particular food group gets absorbed by the body slowly thereby keeping blood sugar and energy levels stable. Smart carbs offer the exact opposite effect from sugary pick-me-ups. When you consume sweets as an energy booster, not only are you diminishing your chances of quick weight loss, but you are also in for a sugary crash!

Once you improve your diet, other parts of your lifestyle will slowly begin to improve, such as your sleeping pattern and your weight. The next step in improving your focus and your energy is exercise. Even though you may not have as much time to devote to physical activity as desired, even a 30 minute brisk walk can help you regain some of your oomph. Most people think that physical activity drains us of our energy; however, the exact opposite is true. People who undergo regular physical activity have a lot more energy than those who do not exercise. Furthermore, regular physical activity along with a healthy diet can improve your sleep (which can be yet another reason behind poor energy levels). A healthy diet is one of the most important natural sleep aids. These are just a few ways to improve your energy quickly and naturally.

Your friends talked you into it, so now what? Training for your first 5K may seem like a daunting and impossible task, but it can be and should be a fun and growth experience…a step in the right direction to better physical health.

Signing up for and participating in a 5K is a great first step to running a marathon. At only 3.1 miles, a 5K is an accomplishable goal for most people to achieve. It is also a great starter way to ease into the running world.

Running is not only a physical activity that does not necessarily require any fancy, expensive equipment, just a good pair of running shoes and breathable clothing; it is also a sport that can be done anywhere anytime. While some people may enter onto the running scene to lose weight, others do it for the stress relieving qualities and empowerment it provides.

Tips for 5K training beginners

1. Watch what you eat. While you are surely burning up calories, it is important to maintain healthy eating habits. Staying away from refined food products as well as sugars is important. Whole grain breads and pastas as well as protein shakes are easily digested and will give the body the energy and nourishment that it needs.
2. Start with a plan: Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t feel like the first time you lace up and head out the door you need to do the whole mileage non –stop. Start slow and pace your progress. This will help you build strength and endurance.
3. Fuel your body. Be sure that you eat. If you feel drained, try an energy drink. The best energy drinks will not disrupt your sleep patterns or cause you to crash after taking them.
4. Stay motivated. Usually 5K races are a fundraiser for a local charity or worthy cause. The fact that people are going to benefit from your participation should be motivation enough. Also downloading your favorite upbeat tunes should be enough to get spirits up and moving.

More than $50 billion a year is spent on bottled water. With this surge in popularity in recent years, it has left many to question the benefits of the drink. We all know that no form of life can be sustained without water. It is recommended that those who are trying to lose weight cut out other beverages and drink more water, but when it comes to bottled water are consumers getting what they are paying for? (more…)

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.

There are some people who believe that diet and exercise is the only way to lose weight. However, there are people who do not engage in regular exercise and they are able to slim down on diet alone. It’s important to understand that regular exercise has many health benefits aside from weight-loss alone.  But if you are unable to make it part of your daily routine, you can still achieve weight-loss through proper diet.

The quality of food you consume is very important when trying to shed excess weight. It’s nearly impossible to lose weight on a high fat, high carb, and high calorie diet. In fact, eating this way will increase your waistline very rapidly. Eating healthy must always be a way of life and not a fad. Choosing whole foods and lean sources of protein will help you eat balanced and reduce the amount of preservatives and additives you consume.  Preservatives and additives pollute the liver making it much harder to process toxins. Ultimately this leads to weight gain as your liver becomes clogged and can’t break fat down effectively.

Dietary changes will aid in weight-loss but taking in excess fat and calories regardless of healthy food choices will not. In order to lose weight effectively you must restrict calorie consumption. A calorie is a calorie regardless of its source. If you are consuming a high calorie healthy diet you will still gain weight no matter what. Eating healthy will definitely have other health advantages versus eating poorly. In general subtracting 600-800 calories from the total amount your body requires each day will help you lose weight without exercise. Simply put, when you eat too many calories you gain weight, when you don’t eat enough you lose weight.

Avoid eating after 7:30 in the evening and consume all or most of your carbs during the day as they are burned off more effectively. Because your body begins to unwind at the end of the day so does your metabolism that’s why it’s crucial to restrict eating late in the evening.

Exercise is great for cardiovascular and bone health so completely eliminating it wouldn’t be wise. However, if you are unable to make time for it, it is possible to trim down and get healthy regardless. Just moving around during the day and doing things such as breathing, sleeping, digesting food, walking up stairs, or doing household chores are all forms of physical activity and will help burn calories.