Our overstressed lifestyles often put us into states of fatigue, and even thinking about going out and putting in a lot of energy at the health club can be daunting. If we listen to advertisers, we probably grab one of the energy drinks for a quick-fix. But they have come under fire lately, including from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and we think there are better ways to fight fatigue, even if they are a little more long-term.
Continued fatigue can adversely affect the immune system, making us more at risk of illness. And by relying on caffeine on energy drinks can cause our system to crash, as has been pointed out by the FDA. They attribute 13 recent deaths to consuming too many energy drinks. These drinks contain too much sugar, caffeine and other stimulants. But they merely mask the symptoms of fatigue and will dehydrate the body.
There are some better ways to boost your energy, such as:
• Skimping on calories. You may need to cut back on calories to lose weight, but you have to be careful that calorie reduction doesn't decrease you metabolism, which will cause lethargy. To keep your energy levels higher, consume a variety of whole foods instead of supplements and don't concentrate on one or two nutrients, even if they happen to be the publicized nutrients du jour.
• Proteins are important. Food-based proteins repair and build muscle tissue, and they take longer to break down in your system. These provide an energy source that will stay with you longer, reducing fatigue.
• Water. These are a much healthier and cheaper alternative to sports drinks. If water becomes boring, add fresh limes, oranges or lemons to give it a little pizazz.
• Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day. Studies have shown that breakfast is a necessary part of getting your metabolism off on the right foot. But it has to be the right food. This is the time to avoid sugar and carbohydrates, and add high-protein foods and fresh fruit.
• Omega-3 fatty acids. Foods that contain omega-3s should be incorporated into all your meal planning. Those foods include tuna, walnuts, flax seeds, leafy greens and as we have long promoted, salmon. Studies have shown that they combat depression, improve mood and memory and act as an anti-inflammation agent. Why would you not want them in your diet?
• Snacks. Keeping your blood sugar levels stable between meals will help prevent lethargy, and to do that may require some food to bridge the gap. What you snack on is vital. The best snacks that give lasting energy are ones that combine complex carbohydrates with protein or fat. And what are some good combinations? How about whey protein shakes with a stick of cheese. Mixed nuts provide a good mix of nutrients, pears and almond butter are good, and fruit in yogurt is becoming a real favorite.
The point is, stay away from the sports drinks. They are enticing with the advertising they bombard us with, but as we can see there are much better long-term methods to keeping your energy up.
There are some foods that will help you fight fatigued, and some that cause it, and it doesn't have to do with caffeine. Their is scientific basis why foods containing omega-3 fats make you feel better. So often we turn to sports drinks when we need a physical lift, when water will actually be better for you. Rich Carroll is a writer and health advocate living in Chicago.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rich_Carroll
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