Energy Drinks: Good or Bad?

We live such busy lives, is it any wonder so many of us feel tired and run-down and in need of a shot of energy to keep us going? Sadly, the recipe for good health and vigor simply can’t be bought in a single bottle of liquid. The most energetic people are those who are physically fit, and physical fitness comes from living a lifestyle that includes regular exercise, eating a healthy diet and routinely getting a good night’s sleep. Time management is also another piece of the puzzle, learning how to prioritize and leaving some time for rest, relaxation and even a quick cat-nap to reinvigorate ourselves during our long, hectic days.


What is in that energy drink that makes us feel more alert and full of pep after we down one? The answer, in a single word, is stimulants, namely caffeine and taurine. Caffeine is a stimulant drug that will result in raising your mental alertness but for many has unwanted side effects, such as jitteriness and stomach upset to name a few. And what about the “crashing” effect when it wears off? Taurine is an amino acid that is believed to augment the stimulant effect of caffeine. Some of energy drinks also contain a stiff dose of sugar, which will contribute to raising your blood sugar level (albeit short-term), giving you a nice lift but could add considerably to your waistline while it peps you up (one 8.3-fluid-ounce can of Red Bull contains 115 calories and 26 grams of sugar).

The bottom line is that no energy drink can compete with a healthy lifestyle for keeping your energy level up—the natural way.

Vinaigrette and Tip of the Week

Lettuce... more than just the tip of the iceberg!
Lettuce is a leafy crunchy vegetable with substantial water content, some fiber and a negligible calorie count—all factors that are beneficial for filling up your plate and pairing down your waistline.

You should know that only certain types of lettuce are loaded with lots of vitamins, minerals and antioxidant plant chemicals, whereas others contain virtually nothing in terms of nutrition. Hence, even though all types of lettuce are low in calories, the different varieties offer different valuable sources of nutrients. For example, romaine lettuce is especially rich in vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and manganese when compared to iceberg lettuce.

When making lettuce choices, be sure to get in the power lettuces, romaine and red leaf—the darker the leaf, the greater the amount of nutrients such as vitamin A and folate. Other salad greens, such as spinach, kale, arugula and radicchio, while technically not lettuces, are among the most nutrient-dense foods available.

So when it comes to good health and weight control, be sure to pile on the dark leafy greens (an antioxidant gold mine), and leave the iceberg in the bin!

What better way to eat lettuce than with a nice vinaigrette dressing!

Easy, fast, super-healthy and spectacularly delish .
Food weight: 1.0

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar (add more or less depending on personal preference)
• 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions
In a bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk until well mixed. Drizzle over a large dish of dark leafy greens and other colorful vegetables and you will be eating healthy and light!

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 Tablespoon dressing):

Food weight: 1.0, Calories: 80, Fat: 9 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 120 mg, Carbohydrate: 1 g, Dietary Fiber: 0 g, Sugars: 1 g, Protein: 0 g