The Energy Drink Blog

Do you ever feel as though you are running on fumes?  You eat three times a day and even snack in between meals but you still feel lethargic.  Shouldn’t you be able to function without falling asleep at your desk?  Not true!  When it comes to the human body we were designed to run on high octane fuel kind of like a luxury vehicle.  The better the quality of food you put into your system the longer lasting energy you experience.  For some of us this can make a world of difference and in the process it can clean up an unhealthy diet.  Here are some foods you should avoid and some healthy replacement ideas as well.

The first culprit worth mentioning is sugar.  It’s considered to be one of the largest addictions in this country aside from drug addiction.  When we consume anything with sugar such as candy, sweets, or refined white flour products a brain chemical is released similar to the one our brain releases when we abuse drugs such as heroin or morphine.  Ok now you understand that it’s a serious addiction right?  Sugar may give you sudden energy but because it is metabolized so rapidly you are left with that crash like feeling shortly after.   You then continue to repeat this vicious cycle through out the day just to keep your lids open.  A better choice would be a source of protein such as natural peanut butter and whole grain flax bread or crackers.  By putting a protein with a complex carbohydrate you are slowing the rate at which you digest the carbohydrate while adding a high-quality source of fiber to your diet.

Another obvious mistake most of us make when it comes to boosting energy is consuming caffeine.  The most common being coffee, tea, or high energy sports drinks.  While this buzz feels great, it usually doesn’t last long and again we experience exhaustion following our attempt to maintain stamina.  Instead keep a bottle of water with you and fill it when ever it’s empty.  Water is a great way to boost your energy, give you clarity, and keep you appropriately hydrated.  Since your body is about 70% water it is vital to maintain accurate hydration in order to keep bodily functions working correctly.  It not only boosts physical energy but it improves brain power too.

I think we’ve all done this at some point or another, we run to a local fast food joint on our lunch break because we are crunched for time and we order a combo meal from either Burger King or McDonalds.  Of course everything should be supersized since the option is there.  So not only are you getting a magnificently lacking nutritious meal, you are also consuming a large amount of fat that might give you a lovely stay in the cardiac unit of your local hospital.  What I’m getting at is a large amount of fat at mealtime is not only terrible for your health but it leaves you feeling exhausted because it’s so hard to digest.  Consuming low-fat items like organic yogurt with fresh fruit or a handful of unsalted raw almonds are good choices that are also low in fat and will help to keep you satiated.

 It’s also important to mention that skipping meals or not eating enough will wipe you out quickly.  If you don’t fuel your body properly how can you expect to achieve the energy you require?  Another downside to this awful habit is that you set yourself up for possible binge eating seeing as you become ravenous by the time you get home you then proceed to splurge on all the wrong things and then you’re stuck trying to digest a massive amount of food which leaves you feeling extremely bloated, drained and full.  Try eating smaller amounts of food frequently during the day to keep you going and you will find that this is less challenging on your digestive system.

 Learning how to provide your body with the energy it needs, can be a little complicated if you don’t take the time to properly care for yourself.  Eating healthy should be a way of life and not a trend.  Remember that what you put in your body affects you from the inside out.

Everyday we expose ourselves to dangerous chemicals, toxins, and pollutants by simply going about our daily lives.  What if a majority of that exposure came from the foods you ate?  Would you do something about it to reduce your risk of various health related issues?  Here are five reasons to benefit by eating organic everyday.

Probably the most significant reason of them all is to reduce the levels of toxins, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, growth hormones and antibiotics you ingest by eating produce and meat that is certified USDA organic.  Not only are these substances harmful for the body but studies have shown that they increase your risk of a variety of cancers and a host of other health problems.  If you consume produce that is not organically grown one way to reduce your risk of pesticide ingestion is to peel your fruit or vegetables because most of the pesticides and chemicals don’t penetrate the skin.  The down side to peeling your fruits and vegetables is that a majority of the nutrient content is lost when you discard the skin.  It is also very crucial to choose organic dairy, poultry, and meat whenever possible due to the high levels of hormones and antibiotics detected in the meat.  If the animal is injected with these substances then you are also ingesting them as well.  You will increase your risk of cancer, obesity, birth defects, and weaken your immune system by eating animal protein that has been injected with artificial growth hormones.

The next important thing to note is that by consuming organic foods you are increasing the nutrient content of the food by about 50%.  With increased nutritional content your body will respond with more energy and a reduced risk of illness.  Something else to keep in mind is that food that has been organically grown is also richer in taste.  With over 10,000 taste buds on your tongue, sacrificing taste would be such a shame.

Going green is a big concern for out planet so by choosing organically grown food you are also helping to lower the negative impact that mass produced fruits and vegetables have on our earth. By choosing food without the use of pesticides, chemicals or toxins you are reducing the amount of pollution to our environment.  Organic farmers also use less energy and water to grow their crops and do not have the need to clutter landfills up with toxic waste.  Helping to save our planet is a big concern these days.  Supporting local farmers and growers is one way we can help do our part.

Another great reason to make the switch is that organic foods are easier to find than they use to be.   Now even in your local grocery chain you can find an organic produce, meat, seafood, dairy, and dry good section.  In the state of Florida the major chain of grocery stores is Publix.  They carry a specific line of organic foods called “Greenwise”.  The next time you enter your local market ask a store manager where the organic food section is and you will be amazed at the selection they provide.

Lastly, you should choose to eat organic to protect the future generations to come.  If we all pitch in to do our part we can protect our children and our families from serious health issues by preserving the quality of the air, land, and water from dangerous pollutants.