Energy
drinks are loaded with unhealthy
sugars and fats. Often, many people reach for an energy drink when they find
themselves grasping for energy. Yet, they are unaware of the unhealthy concerns
that come along with consuming an energy drink like Red Bull or Monster. For
example, the lack of planning in people’s diets. Michael Van Straten is the author
of Low Carb Super Drinks and medical practitioner
studying the relationship between health, the food we eat, and disease for over
35 years. In his book, he explained, “Despite twenty-four-hour supermarkets and
Sunday shopping, many people just don’t find time to plan their eating and shop
for the necessary ingredients. The result: take-aways, ready meals, convenience
food, instant soups, pot noodles, and a burger-bar attitude to food. This
inevitably leads to overeating and undernourishment” (Straten 47). People often
impulse buy, or go out to buy fast-food or eat at a restaurant to avoid the
hassle of buying ingredients and making food at home. However, there can be
some serious health concerns along with that, such as the health of your
overall body. Focus is not on observing calorie intake and sugar intake, but what
is easy for us to do. Have you ever stopped out for a bite to eat on the way
home because you are too tired to go home and cook, and constantly repeat these
actions? The importance of meal planning is something Straten makes sure to
point out in his book. Straten included in his work, many high-energy drinks,
that are extremely beneficial to our bodies and will help us to obtain a better
meal plan. 'Strawberry Fair', one of the many drinks in Straten's book, is jam-packed with vitality and nourishing ingredients (Straten 53). A
smoothie-like drink that is packed full of energy to give you that extra boost
for the day.
Strawberry Fair contains:
6 Medium
Strawberries,
6oz red grapes,
1 banana,
2 unpeeled kiwi
fruit,
1 pomegranate; seeds
and flesh scooped out,
2 passion fruit;
seeds and flesh scooped out.
After washing all of
the necessary ingredients, all you have to do is throw them into a juicer. Then, put into a glass, and stir in the pomegranate and passion fruit and you’re done.
I must say, this smoothie was absolutely delicious! And, PACKED with beneficial vitamins and properties for my body. I felt refreshed and almost rejuvenated after drinking this because it tasted so fresh.
I believe that Dr.
Straten has created such drinks to successfully prove to us that energy,
fullness, relief or calming sensations are reached from unhealthy, sugar-filled
foods and drinks.
Are there any other
healthy ‘energy drinks’ that aren’t as sugar-packed as a Red Bull or Monster? Do
you agree with Straten that drinks like these are an efficient way to obtain
energy rather than consuming large amounts of unhealthy sugars in a Red Bull or
Monster?
Straten, Michael Van. Low Carb Super
Drinks. Great Britain: Mitchell Beazley, 2005.
Print.
I decided on making this dessert for my next blog post because I had made more savory dishes previously and thought it would be a good idea to switch it up! This recipe caught my eye because the vibrant colors from the fresh berries made the dish look very appealing. The dish was fairly easy to make because there was no baking time involved, however there was time that you had to chill certain parts of the dish; about 40 min total. The cheesecakes involved the components of a graham cracker crust, a sweet cream cheese layer, fresh berries, more cream cheese and topped off with even more berries!
