KeralaClick.com | Conjugated Linoleic Acid |

What's Causing Your Energy Drain?




This is such a busy time of year, isn't it?  Whether it's school or after-school commitments, social or philanthropic organizations that start meeting again after the summer, end of the year plans at work, or all of the above, fall activities are demanding!  If you're like me, you know you plan too much, but you still want to be efficient, accomplish everything, and do it well.  There is no time in the schedule for running out of energy or getting sick, and "Collapse From Exhaustion" is not on the TO DO list.  But your body will stop you if you don't stop it first.  How will you know if you are running on empty?  The number one warning sign is fatigue. 

Abnormal fatigue can be a sign from your body that you are overworking, overthinking, underresting, or undereating.  (I don't know if all those are words, but they should be.)  A variety of illnesses and medical conditions can cause fatigue, including hormone disorders, depression, and pregnancy, so if you notice a dramatic or persistent change in your energy level, it's wise to consult your physician.  The good news is that if it's your hectic agenda that's leaving you drained, you can give yourself the best chance of staying well by looking at a few key areas - sleep, nutrition, hydration, and relaxation. 

As with many beneficial life habits, these four staples of health do not have catchy slogans or expensive promotional campaigns.  Bottled water brands and sleep number beds are starting to change that, but they're based on the premise that you need a very extravagant bed or water purification system, rather than the idea that you need sleep and water to be healthy.  (Common sense, you say?  How long has it been since you got eight hours of sleep and drank two liters of water in the same day?)  Most nutrition-related marketing promotes one food or food group over another, rather than the guiding principle that you faithful readers know by now: eating frequent, small amounts of a variety of foods. 

On the other hand, I'm sure you've seen and heard multiple advertisements for energy bars, energy drinks, and energy boosting supplements, promising more energy if you eat or drink the magical concoction of chemicals.  Remember what you learned in Nutrition 101: Your body can only make energy from three things: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.  ONLY.  Other nutrients help your body USE energy, including iron and B vitamins, but nothing you get in a pill can actually give you more energy than eating actual food.  Caffeine, ginseng, guarana, ma huang, ephedra, and xenedrine are all stimulants that make your heart beat faster, so your brain gets more oxygen, so you FEEL like you have more energy?but it's a trap.  When the effects wear off, you will be more tired than you were before.  If you use the chemicals again, you perpetuate the cycle, or in other words, you're hooked!
 
Quick Tip: Real energy means calories.  If a product contains 0 calories, it's a fake. 

The good news (yes, there's more!) is that although no supplement can make up for poor habits, changing habits can eliminate the need for these potentially harmful chemicals in your body.  Easier said than done, I agree.  But start in one area, and experiment with a small change.  If you see results, you will have proved to yourself that the change is worth it!  In the coming weeks, we'll look at each of the key areas, sleep, nutrition, hydration, and relaxation, with the goal of maintaining exceptional energy throughout your day.

If you need an energy makeover, why not keep an energy log?  On 2 weekdays and 2 weekend days write down the following: What time it is each time you eat (you don't have to write down WHAT you eat); what time it is when you go to sleep and when you wake up; what beverages you drink throughout the day; any relaxing activities you did that day; and a description of your energy (highs or lows) throughout the day.  In two weeks we'll meet back and see what your results mean and where to improve!  To be continued?

Jessica Setnick is a registered dietitian in Dallas, Texas who travels the world spreading nutrition wisdom. As an accomplished speaker and writer, Jessica's passion is promoting a positive relationship with food and eating as a key component of a healthy and happy life. Find out more or contact Jessica to speak at your event by visiting her website at www.understandingnutrition.com.
© 2004 Permission is granted to reprint this article in print or on your web site so long as the paragraph above is included and contact information is provided to www.understandingnutrition.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

FirstFitness Nutrition Announces XanoLean™ - Major Breakthrough in Appetite ...
PR Newswire (press release)
7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstFitness Nutrition, which is in the process of merging with Medical Alarm Concepts Holding, Inc. (OTCQB: MDHI.PK), today announces XanoLean™, the world's first nutraceutical formula to solve the problem of food addiction ...

and more »


Liquid Nutrition Announces Major Franchise Deal in Quebec
Business Wire (press release)
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Liquid Nutrition Group Inc. (“Liquid Nutrition” or “Company”) (TSX-V: LQD.V and LQD.WT) announced today a major franchise deal in Quebec which will more than double the number of Liquid Nutrition stores in the Province.

and more »


Uncovering Food Label and Nutrition Traps
Huffington Post (blog)
Nutrition trends for 2012 stress healthier, sustainable, whole and organic foods. The "slow food" movement emphasizing "good, clean and fair" food has become a way of life for many. Beyond these hot topics, mindful individuals want to make healthy, ...
Too many people abuse systemYoungstown Vindicator

all 2 news articles »


Nutritional Fact vs. Food Marketing Fiction
WebMD (blog)
This is a good mom; she is willing to spend the extra money to make sure her child has the most nutritious option. Advertisers – marketing geniuses – know that we want our kids to be healthy. They recognize that there is an obesity epidemic going on ...



CBC.ca

Wal-Mart plans simple label to identify healthier foods
msnbc.com
By Allison Linn Wal-Mart is unveiling a simple icon that it says will help consumers make a snap decision about whether a food is healthy, without delving into the nitty-gritty of the nutrition label. The move by the nation's biggest retailer to label ...
Walmart Unveils "Great For You" IconMarketWatch (press release)
Walmart to label healthier food as 'Great For You'Fox News
Does Walmart know what foods are 'Great for You'? (Morning Read)MedCity News
BET
all 337 news articles »


USA TODAY

Junk foods still plentiful at elementary schools
msnbc.com
The study focused on snacks not sold during mealtimes, which until recently weren't subject to government nutrition standards. Schools most likely to sell chips, cookies or similar foods were in the South, where obesity rates are the highest; ...
All-Day Buffet in Elementary Schools?dailyRx

all 108 news articles »


School nutrition: A kid's right to choose
Victoria Times Colonist
By David R. Just and Brian Wansink Last fall, Los Angeles took a hard line on school nutrition. In an attempt to mold better eating habits in kids, the Los Angeles Unified School District eliminated flavored milk, chicken nuggets and other longtime ...

and more »


BikeRadar.com

Nutrition round-up: Sponser and QimmiQ energy gels
BikeRadar.com
By John Whitney in Bath, UK | Tuesday, Feb 7, 2012 1.00pm Swiss firm Sponser have been in the sports nutrition game for two decades and sponsor a whole raft of athletes, from former mountain biking cross-country world champion Christoph Sauser to ...



NuVal system helps Ozarks shoppers make smarter food choices
Springfield News-Leader
Valerie Mosley/News-Leader Grocery store shoppers wondering which food item is best for them no longer have to ponder sometimes confusing nutrition labels. Two grocery store chains with stores in Springfield — Price Cutter and Hy-Vee — are using a ...

and more »


domain-B

DEALTALK-Nestle in lead to scoop up Pfizer's baby formula unit
Reuters
* Nestle ahead in race for Pfizer's infant nutrition unit * Pfizer's business valued at $10 billion by analysts * Danone expected to be Nestle's biggest rival for deal * Chinese market seen as biggest prize for winner * Anti-trust a concern but not ...
Nestle, Danone in lead for Pfizer's $10-bn Wyeth baby nutrition businessdomain-B
Reuters: Nestle leads pack of bidders for Pfizer nutrition unitFiercePharma
Nestle Top Candidate to Buy Chinese Infant Formula BusinessWall St. Cheat Sheet

all 9 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006