We all know that some foods are higher in caloric content than others. Often times, we seek out these higher calorie food items in order to get a burst of energy. But did you know that some foods – despite having a high calorie count – can actually be total drains on your energy? It’s true!
What’s worse is that you could be consuming some of these energy-draining foods thinking that you’re getting an energy boost, when in reality you’re getting quite the opposite. Let’s start with one of the biggest, most deceiving culprits: energy drinks.
1. Energy Drinks
Energy drinks may give you a temporary boost of energy, but as soon as the energy/caffeine buzz wears off, you’ll be feeling more exhausted than ever! This BBC article reveals the results of a very interesting study. Sleep-deprived adults were given sugary energy drinks and asked to perform some monotonous tests.
Another group was given an identical-tasting drink with just the caffeine. After a half hour, results were the same. But after 50 minutes, the sugary energy drink crowd was falling way behind. Read more from NBC about how energy drinks can leave you feeling totally exhausted.
2. Sugary Breakfast Foods: Doughnuts, Sweet Rolls, etc.
Sugar and white flour are awful energy drains. It’s unfortunate that so many Americans start out their days with a sugary breakfast – if they choose to eat breakfast at all.
Essentially, when you consume a lot of sugar, the carbohydrates get used up quickly, blood sugar rises, and then your brain stops producing orexin, which is what makes you feel alert. You can read more about the “doughnut effect” here.
3. Greasy & Fried Foods
