It seems we are all looking for that magic something that will give us more energy. Energy drinks have become all the rage especially among the younger population.
Are they a good idea for those of us who are now in the fabulous 50+ phase of our lives?
First, consider that they will give you a temporary energy boost because they are primarily sugar and caffeine. You already know that caffeine can give you the jolt you need in the morning, and having something sweet can also give you immediate energy.
There is a down side to both of these ingredients. Sugar does not provide much other benefit, is a source of empty calories, and can also be followed by a drop in energy. Too much caffeine can cause the jitters, increased heart rate, blood pressure and insomnia.
There are daily steps you can take to have consistently greater energy.
- Eat smaller more frequent meals and snacks. They won’t leave you feeling sleepy or sluggish.
- Eat breakfast. It increases overall energy.
- Combine protein, carbs and fiber at meals and snacks. Lean protein foods and carbohydrates with fiber will give you a power packed diet.
- Lose excess pounds. It takes more energy to carry excess pounds around. Check http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm to see if you are overweight. If you are, decrease food portions and increase activity.
- Avoid high fat foods. Fats are more calorie dense making it easier to get more calories in a smaller portion.
- Drink enough fluids especially water. Dehydration can contribute to fatigue. Aim for one quart of water each day.
- Schedule 30 minutes of moderate exercise. It causes changes in your body that leave you feeling more energetic.
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep. You’ll feel more alert, rested and ready to deal with the day’s challenges.
If your life is one in which it is difficult to eat every 3-4 hours, consider having handy some of the following convenient, fast foods: fresh or dried fruit, yogurt, string cheese, skim milk, raw veggies, reduced-sodium tomato juice, peanut butter, whole-grain cereal, oatmeal, nuts, whole-grain crackers, or a meal-replacement bar. For those foods that need refrigeration, buy a mini-cooler and ice packs if you don’t have access to a refrigerator.
The more things you do to help your health, the more you’ll be able to do”
—Jack LaLanne
