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.

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.

Television shows like the biggest loser and others have shown that it is possible to achieve any weight loss goal. While some people may only have five or ten pounds to lose, other may have 100 or more pounds to whittle off their frame. Even though this may seem like an impossible task, it can be done. So what is the best way to lose weight effectively?

First, writing down what your weight loss goal is, is the first step to accomplishing the goal. It was once said that if you write down a goal, you own that goal. Writing this number down, honestly, is the first step to accomplishing it.

Second, break down the larger number into smaller more achievable goals. Staring a number of 50 pounds or more can be very deterring. Incremental goals of five pounds are much more realistic, and accomplishable. Plus, since it is possible to lose up to three pounds a week safely, these small achievements can be big motivators.

Third, remember to eat. Dieting is not about starvation and deprivation, in fact it is about the opposite. Fueling your body with smaller, nutritious meals throughout the day as opposed to eating fewer, larger meals is also critical. Achieving as little fluctuation in blood sugar levels is necessary to burn calories most efficiently. A variety of foods should be included in the diet.

Fourth, exercise! No matter what the activity is, just as long as it is activity, is important to weight loss. Burning more calories than is consumed is what drops the pounds. Metabolism can also be boosted with a diet pill.

Made from milk whey, whey protein is an exceptional source of nutrition.  Since it is easily digested, and speeds up the muscle recovery process, whey protein has been a popular post-workout snack with bodybuilders and fitness buffs alike.  For the reason that whey protein has little effect on blood sugar spikes and drops, it has recently become a popular dietary staple for those who are trying to lose weight as well. 

Whey protein comes in a powder form and is mixed together with water, milk or juice. Available in many flavors such as strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate, there are limitless possibilities that won’t ruin the diet.   Even though whey protein is quickly absorbed into the blood stream and is easily digested, the amount of protein that should be consumed per day varies on a number of factors such as age, gender and intended weight goal.

While the amount of protein intake for an individual varies, no more than 150 grams should be taken in a day to prevent strain on the liver and kidneys. Because of the possible strain that could be created, drinking plenty of water is important to help keep the kidneys functioning properly. Typically the intake amount ranges from 25-50 grams of protein to 150 gram per day.

Many dieters and bodybuilders cut the carbohydrates in order to promote weight loss, and supplement their diet with whey protein. As mentioned before, whey protein has little effect on the fluctuation of blood sugar. Whey protein also suppresses the appetite by promoting a feeling of fullness.  

Besides powdered mixes from a canister, whey protein can often be found in a variety of other sources. These sources include yogurt, energy bars, energy drinks, and dairy based beverages. These aforementioned sources not only are quick and convenient snacks because of they provide exceptional dietary nutrition, they are also terrific snacks to get you through the day because whey protein provides a feeling of fullness.