The Buzz on Energy Foods
Energy drinks and nutrition bars often make big promises. Some
say they'll increase energy and alertness, others offer extra
nutrition, and some even claim to boost your athletic performance
or powers of concentration. But once you cut through the hype and
look past the flashy packaging on energy products, chances are
what you're mostly getting is a stiff dose of sugar and
caffeine.
So should you eat or drink these products? As with everything,
they're OK in moderation. The occasional energy drink is fine
and a protein bar in the morning is a better choice than not
getting any breakfast at all. But people like Javier - who usually
has about three or four energy drinks and a couple of protein bars
every day - are overdoing it.
Make Smart Choices
With so much going on in our lives, lots of people feel tired
and run down. And many of us find ourselves skipping a meal
sometimes. So it's not surprising that nutrition, protein, and
energy drinks and food bars have flooded the market, offering us
the convenience of energy on the go.
Sometimes, this can be good news - like for the person who has
to skip breakfast or the athlete who needs an energy boost before
practice. Food bars will never beat a well-balanced meal or snack
when it comes to meeting our nutrition needs. But many of them do
contain more nutrients than a candy bar or a bag of chips.
Likewise, some of the sports or energy drinks on the market today
contain some vitamins and minerals.
Know the Downsides
So the occasional power drink or food bar can be a good choice.
But as with anything else, it's possible to get too much
of a good thing.
Here are some facts to keep in mind when it comes to food bars
or energy drinks:
They contain excessive sugar and calories.
Did you know that some energy bars and drinks contain hundreds of
calories? That may be OK for athletes who burn lots of calories in
high-intensity activities, like competitive cycling. But for many
teens the extra sugar and calories just contribute to weight gain,
not to mention tooth decay.
Energy drinks are often full of caffeine.
Caffeine may be legal, but it is a stimulant drug. It can cause
side effects like jitteriness, upset stomach, headaches, and sleep
problems - all of which drag you down, not power you up! Plus,
taking certain medications or supplements can make caffeine's
side effects seem even worse.
Food bars don't make good meal replacements.
You never really see someone eat an energy bar for dinner and then
sit back with a satisfied grin. Nothing beats a real meal for both
that well-fed feeling and the nutritional satisfaction your body
needs.
Although lots of energy drinks and nutrition bars have some
vitamins and minerals added, they can't give you all the
different nutrients your body needs to grow, develop, play sports,
and handle all the other stuff on your schedule. The only way to
get that is through eating a balanced diet and not skipping
meals.
They may contain mysterious ingredients.
In addition to caffeine and sugar, some brands of energy drinks and
food bars can have ingredients whose safety or effectiveness
hasn't been tested - things like guarana (a source of caffeine)
and taurine (an amino acid thought to enhance caffeine's
effect). Some contain herbal supplements that are not regulated by
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), such as ginseng.
These kinds of ingredients may cause problems for people who are
taking certain medications or have a health condition. So play it
safe. Always check the label carefully before you eat or drink any
kind of energy supplement.
They're expensive.
Though energy bars and drinks are everywhere these days, they
don't come cheap. At about $3 a pop, you can get a better (and
cheaper) energy boost by eating a whole-wheat bagel with cream
cheese. And you can get better hydration by drinking 8 ounces of
tap water. Other on-the-go foods that provide plenty of nutritional
bang for the buck include trail mix, fresh or dried fruits, and
whole-wheat breads and cereals.
Cutting Through the Hype
There's some clever marketing behind energy bars and drinks,
and you've got to be a pretty savvy consumer to see through it.
So be critical when
reading labels
. As with everything, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably
is.
If energy bars and drinks are becoming their own food group in
your diet, remember - "all things in moderation." These
products aren't harmful if you have them occasionally, but
they're not the healthy choices the advertising hype makes them
out to be either.
The truth is, the best energy boost comes from healthy living.
People who eat well, drink water, and get enough physical activity
and rest will have plenty of energy - the natural way.
Reviewed by:
Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: September 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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