Can’t seem to get going in the morning without a jolt? If you recognize these signs, you may be consuming too much caffeine.
1.) You Can’t Count Cups
You may have heard that a cup of coffee averages 100 milligrams of caffeine, but remember a cup is only 8 fluid ounces. How large is your cup of morning Joe? You might need to do some number crunching.
2.) You’re Not Sleeping Enough
There’s no disputing that caffeine is a stimulant and some folks find that they are more sensitive to it than others. Be smart – if you know that taking in caffeine later in the day disrupts your sleep – skip it and get some zzzzzz’s.
Read more »
Not to be confused with sports drinks, these trendy beverages are a dangerous mix of sugar, chemicals and stimulants. We won’t keep you in suspense – they’re no good!
Why They Look Good
The promise of popping open a can and slurping immediate energy sure is appealing. Too bad it’s too good to be true. With names like Rocktstar, Monster, Red Bull and Amp they appeal to adolescents, college students and anyone who could use a boost. Celebrity endorsements and sponsorship of athletic teams also adds to the appeal. Flashy packaging and the fact that you can buy them at any grocery store or gas station further leads consumers to believe that they must be safe.
Read more »
Who doesn’t love Starbucks’ holiday drinks? They have such fancy names and delicious ingredients. But the hidden calories . . . you won’t believe your thighs! Get the skinny before you order your next grande or venti holiday brew.
ORDER: Reasonable portions of tasty delights
Many folks look forward to the seasonal offerings at Starbucks. There’s nothing wrong with tasty caffeinated beverages, but many of Starbucks dressed-up drinks contain as many calories as we should be eating in one meal. Luckily, Starbucks gives you the power to take control of your order. You choose the size of your drink, type of milk, and whether or not you want whipped cream. When ordering a fancy-shmancy drink, count it as a snack and aim for no more than 200 calories.
Just to get some perspective, a grande (16-fluid ounce) cup of brewed coffee without sugar or milk contains 5 calories and is free of fat and sugar. Add ¼ cup of skim milk for an additional 15 calories. Now take a look at the numbers on some of the more popular holiday drinks: Before you order one of those yummy drinks, choose one with a reasonable amount of calories.
Read more »
In this week’s nutrition news: Logging on helps keep the weight off, recalled foods found on market shelves and Vitaminwater sued for deceptive health claims
Read More »
In this week’s nutrition news: experts call for caffeine labels, green restaurants continue to grow in popularity and a look at calories in today’s home-cooked meals.
Read more »
In this week’s nutrition news: Check out how airline food stacks up, some hot food trends for 2010 and why that caffeine chaser may not sober you up.
Read more »
There are a few schools of thought about avoiding caffeine, alcohol and artificial sweeteners. Here is how I’m approaching it.
Read more »
Many people jump start the morning — and afternoon — with a big cup of coffee or even a cold soda. Why? Because they want the energy-boosting caffeine. But how much is too much? Here are some tips to help you assess your daily dose.
Read more >>
Every so often you may go looking for a boost. Sometimes you turn to a cup of coffee or a brisk walk, but you may be tempted to reach for an extra stimulant.
The market is laden with energy drinks such as Venom, Cocaine and WhoopAss. These beverages contain high amounts of caffeine, amino acids and dangerous amounts of legal (yet non FDA-regulated) stimulants such as guarana and ginseng. Although these supplements claim to be “energy enhancers,” there is limited evidence that energy drinks increase mental and physical performance.
Read more »
