These days, there is a lot of controversy about “energy” drinks and the massive amounts of sugar, caffeine, and chemical stimulants they contain. We all lead busy, stressful lives and sometimes it just seems hard to find the get-up-and-go to get you through the day.
Try to resist the urge to grab an energy drink! Teens should have less than 100 mg of caffeine per day; that’s two sodas or one cup of coffee or espresso. Adults should try to stick to getting 200 - 300 mg per day - between two and four cups of coffee per day. Most energy drinks contain more than 100 mg of caffeine - some in as little as two ounces of liquid. There is one brand that has 16,000 mg of caffeine in 32 ounces! Another thing to keep in mind about energy drinks is that they tend to be “empty” calories; they can be packed with sugar (average about 100 calories each) and often have a surprising amount of sodium and very little nutritional value.
So what’s a tired, draggy person to do? Here are some great ways to put a little more spring in your step:
Get more protein in your diet. Dr. Oz says that 60% of women do not get enough protein in their diets, which can be a major cause of fatigue. Find a do-able way to get the protein you need in your diet. If you’re trying to stay lean or low cal, go for egg whites, fish or white meat turkey. Or how about a protein shake? Dr. Oz suggests trying a whey protein shake - you can even add the mix to baked goods.
Get more glutamine in your diet. Glutamine is a brain booster; it can ease depression and can keep you alert without a crash. Animal and dairy protein have lots of glutamine, as do raw spinach, parsley or kale. You can take a supplement, too.
Get more sleep! Physical fatigue makes you feel less energetic, so if that’s why you’ve been drinking energy drinks, try rescheduling your life to include at least seven hours of sleep.
Drink more water - dehydration can make you feel tired and sluggish. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep you alert and feeling good. You should be drinking enough water every day that your urine is almost colorless, a good indicator of proper hydration. This is especially true if you live in a dry climate like the mountains of Colorado or the deserts of Arizona - keep the water coming!
Kick the sugar habit - that afternoon candy bar may be giving you a case of the slows - first you get a sugar rush (which doesn’t last) and then you may crash and feel totally tired. Resist the sugar and try to switch to snacks that are more balanced, with a mix of protein, fat & carbs: an apple with some peanut butter, a handful of almonds and dried fruit, or some steel-cut oatmeal with a few strawberries or slices of banana.
Move your tushie! When you’re tired, it’s tempting to veg out in front of the tv or play a video game. This is a time when many people might reach for a cup of coffee or an energy drink. Try moving your body instead. To get your energy up, there’s no need for a super-intense workout; try something fun like skipping rope or hula-hooping for 15 minutes; a few jumping jacks or playing hopscotch with your neighbor’s kid helps to raise your serotonin and dopamine levels, which makes you feel good and energized.
Eat a well-balanced diet, with plenty of fruits & vegetables, whole grains and protein. Try to steer clear of processed foods that are packed with sodium, sugar and artificial ingredients. Try to eat every few hours, and try not to skip meals - keep your engine running smoothly by feeding it at regular intervals.
Try adding a vitality drink to your routine; the ones made from fruit (and no added stimulants or chemicals) are super heart-healthy. These drinks contain high concentrations of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, phytochemicals, flavonoids and other beneficial ingredients that promote a heathy heart and help your body achieve and maintain a natural level of energy and well-being.
Our pals at Rushmore Essentials (www.drinkRE.com) are the makers of the delicious REvive and REvitalize. They know that it can be difficult to to get all your vitamins and minerals, as well as the antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that naturally help your mind and body to perform well. So they make REvive and REvitalize to help you get the good nutrition you need. Made from the pure goodness of 21 fruits and super-fruits that are naturally packed with the vitamins you need to feel better, more focused and have more stamina. REvive and REvitalize contain no extra sugar, caffeine, chemicals, preservatives or harmful additives. The drinks are vegan and gluten-free; all their 21 fruits are non-GMO and come from the finest growers in the world. You can be confident in the quality of RE. Here’s to more life!
