Energy Drinks: How Healthy Are They?

It’s been a long, stressful work week and you’re about to embark on the long drive to the cottage for the weekend – but you’re really, really tired.

What do you do?

Many of us would be reaching for that coffee, tea, or other beverage to perk us up and give us that much-needed energy boost to get through the next few hours. Both full-sized energy drinks – like Red Bull and Monster Energy – and energy shots, like Living Essentials’ 5-Hour Energy are popular pick-me-ups among tired college students and daily grind workers alike. Although these kinds of drinks can be handy when you need a quick energy boost – like when driving a long distance and you need to be alert, or before a big exam you were cramming for the night before – caffeinated drinks, like many things, should be consumed and used in moderation.

There’s tons of other healthy ways to ensure you’re awake, alert, and aware during the day, most days – here’s some of our favorite tricks.

Eat a good breakfast

Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day, and there’s a reason why. Right when you awake, your body has been going without food during the hours you were sleeping, and your brain needs nutrients to get you going. Starting the day right means you’ll have more energy throughout the day.

Ensure your meals are healthy and balanced

Eating a healthy meal is always a good idea, but making sure healthy eating is a part of your everyday lifestyle will help you become more awake and energized long term. And, if you’re looking for a sweet treat, dark chocolate can be a healthier pick-me-up, thanks to the antioxidants found in it.

Get a good night’s sleep

This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people routinely get less sleep than recommended by professionals. The Mayo Clinicsuggests adults get 7-9 hours of sleep a night – if you routinely are getting less than that, it can contribute to a lack of mental awareness and sharpness during the day.

Eat smaller, healthy meals or snacks throughout the day

Eating small, healthy meals or snacks throughout the day, on a regular basis, can help you maintain your energy levels as well. Frequent, smaller portions help maintain your blood sugar levels and avoid the dreaded sugar “crash”, which makes you feel tired, sluggish, and slow.

Take multivitamins

Ensuring our bodies are getting the right vitamins and minerals is paramount to how we feel throughout the day and week. Something as simple as taking a multivitamin can help us get those much-needed nutrients, and will often help when it comes to energy level and mood.

By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you’ll feel more energized and awake on a regular basis. Of course, on those one-off occurrences when you’re exhausted and need to stay alert after a long day, it’s fine to indulge in an energy drink or coffee – but, again, moderation is key.