Energy Drinks

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.