But here’s the reality: You cannot rob Peter to pay Paul. Telling your body it has the energy it doesn’t really have is a lie that will, like all lies, catch up to you. It comes in the form of adrenal fatigue, blood sugar dysregulation, diabetes, heart palpitations, and, you guessed it, a decrease in sex hormone production (see: plummeting libido).The National Institute of Health (NIH) is issuing warning after warning about energy drinks, like the dangers of unmeasurable caffeine as some beverages have up to 500 mg. If you don’t know what that feels like, I’m guessing it’s comparable to coming off the dirty crack and homemade lemonade. The NIH also warns against combining caffeine with alcohol. Teenagers are especially at risk because, instead of passing out after two Zimas and a shake spliff like we did in my day, they are able to consume more and for far longer.
So what should we be drinking?
Let’s be honest—even the hoity-toity nutritionist would need rehab to get off her morning coffee. Here are some better choices that actually provide nourishment:- Water. Duh. Studies show that even mild dehydration can lead to fatigue, decreased blood pressure, headaches, depression, and reduced cognitive ability. Also, water is free. Feeling low? Chug a glass and wait ten minutes.
- A nap. Okay, so you can’t really drink a nap. But if you’re feeling too exhausted to the bike after work with the boys and have to pound that rock concert in a can in order to rally, chances are you would be better off getting some sleep. For real. If your body doesn’t have energy, it’s because you are out of it. Taking a stimulant requires several systems of your body to spring into action, both to regulate your blood sugars, have a stress response (there are those adrenals again), pump out some cortisol, and make you push yourself harder than you would or should.
- Coconut water. Want some calories and electrolytes? A little coconut water will go a long way without the sensation that you’re indebted to a Columbian drug lord. This is a great pre-workout/adventure beverage.
- Coffee. I don’t recommend drinking caffeine afternoon because, as your cortisol (stress response hormones) levels drop during the day, your melatonin (sleepy time hormones) begin to increase. Caffeine can disrupt this natural circadian cycle. Yet studies also show it can improve athletic performance and fat burning when consumed before exercise. In small amounts, not emergency-room-panic-attack visit amounts. Turn your cup of joe into a nutritional delight by adding some good fats. You can even find collagen infused coffee now, or coffee with cordyceps, which are fancy mushrooms with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (both available from locally produced Defiant Coffee). They are all the rage right now, for good reason.
When Ammi is not chasing her first love (trails), she is preaching her second (food) as a Nutritional Therapist. To find out more about saving the world with kale or the misadventures of a single mom, visit her website at www.twobirdsnutrition.com.