The Energy Drink Blog

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.

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.

Your metabolism is the key to burning fat and calories efficiently. As we age weight-loss can become difficult for a number of reasons but one of the most common reasons is due to a sluggish metabolism. Here are some changes you can make to help kick your fat burning furnace into high gear and keep it there.

Begin your day first thing in the morning with an intense workout of cardio.  It’s best to do this upon waking because you burn calories from stored body fat rather than calories consumed over the course of the day.  It’s also a great way to get energized for the day and keep your metabolism revved for hours.

Eat a healthy breakfast shortly after you workout but don’t eat a heavy meal. Choose sources of food that are high in fiber and protein as they will keep you satisfied longer and take longer to digest.

Eat small portions or snacks instead of sitting down to large meals. Eating frequently in smaller amounts is easier on the digestive system and prevents the stomach from being stretched. It also prevents binge eating later in the day.

Try to consume only complex carbohydrates such as slow cooked oatmeal, brown rice, or whole grain bread instead of refined starchy carbs. Complex carbs offer a high source of fiber and satisfy hunger longer because they take longer to digest. The key with consuming carbohydrates is to eat them earlier in the day when your metabolism is at its highest so they are easily converted to energy and burned off. This means that a couple servings during the day would be ok while omitting them at dinner would be a better option.

Proper elimination is very important when it comes to having a healthy metabolism. If you are not going to the bathroom daily you may want to think about doing a colon cleanse. By cleansing the body you are eliminating toxins and chemicals that can slow your metabolism down. This is also a great way to increase your energy naturally, and clear up your skin. It allows the liver to process waste more efficiently which can help boost metabolism and weight-loss.

Make sure you are drinking enough water everyday because it is required for just about every bodily function. Water is also important for proper elimination and helps with regularity by drawing fluid to the colon for waste removal.

Get adequate sleep each night and you will continue to burn calories at a rapid rate. Studies show that lack of sleep not only attributes to weight gain, but it also slows the metabolism down and inhibits the lack of growth hormone which is necessary for  rejuvenating the body and burning fat more effectively.

As we get older it becomes harder to lose weight for various reasons. Keep these healthy tips in mind and you can burn calories effectively at any age.

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.