Apples: An Alternative Energy Boost to Coffee and Caffeine?

Have you ever eaten an apple and you suddenly get that extra burst of energy? Well that is one of the main points of this article. If you are not that fond of coffee, what are the other food items available out there that can give you perk you right up and get you energized. Well, one of the most popular food items that may seem go yield the desired effect is an apple.

First off, everyone should know that apples do not contain any caffeine. So where exactly do we get that steady increase of energy we get from eating an apple? The answer is remarkably easy. It's a little something called fructose. Fructose is a kind of sugar that is present in virtually any type of fruit. As you eat an apple or any type of fruit for that matter, you are introducing energy generating sugars into your body that is slowly digested and used up by the body because of the fiber that is present in fruits. Since it is steadily used up by the body, you don't experience that sort of sugar rush or that crash of energy afterwards where you become sleepy and tired.

While this is obviously a suitable alternative for that extra energy you need, there is still a reason why people prefer coffee and caffeine for their daily energy boost. Of course, we all know that caffeine is fast acting which means once you start drinking coffee or energy drinks with caffeine, you can almost feel its effects at that moment. It's that instant pick me up you need in the morning or in the afternoon. Apart from energy, it also keeps you alert and at top performance level. Caffeine also has several other benefits apart from the instant energy surge. Caffeine is also an excellent source of antioxidants which cleans your body of impurities.

Additionally, apart from the bodily effects of coffee, people often drink it socially. It has become a social staple in the professional life of many and even at home. Dad and Mom typically start their day with a hot cup of coffee before anything else. This gets your day going to a good start. Coffee can also be flavored with a bunch of ingredients to make them taste better like cinnamon and chocolate.

Now, if you're not quite fond of the taste of coffee but still want that energy boost provided by caffeine. You can always buy caffeine powder in bulk. This means you can add caffeine into your drink of choice and get the same effect as you would with coffee. You should follow directions when using caffeine powder though. Dosages are highly specific, and it only takes a decidedly little amount to get the energy you need for the day.

So all in all, if you want to go the healthier route and want to avoid caffeine, you can try substituting apples for your source of extra energy, but if you need that instant effect, you need caffeine.

The Paleolithic Diet - Just What the Ancestors Ordered

The Paleolithic Diet, at its face, is based on the dietary habits of our ancestors. Think about it. They didn't have access to most grains and processed foods were still 2 million years in the future. Actually, they had no choice but to eat a diet consisting of animal meat that was grass fed and obviously raised in the open, fish if close to water, seasonal vegetables and fruits, in addition to roots and nuts.

Now, before we go any further, it should be noted that as with any low carb lifestyle, it has its detractors. In fact, with any quick scan of related blogs, you will see very animated exchanges. This is evident amongst the nutritional experts that lurk the corridors of our higher education institutions as well. We are not qualified to enter that fray and many of the counter arguments surely are quite factual.

The facts are that many thousands of us have lost significant weight on these types of diets. That said, we're all unique and it holds that any diet or lifestyle change affects us differently. So, seeking the advice of your trusted healthcare professional prior to beginning a new diet or exercise regimen is a pre-requisite.

Back to our ancestors' eating routine. Today, we obviously have access to an increased number and higher quality of food products that fit the Paleo diet's requirements. This diet allows for the intake of any food that could be hunted or gathered, back then and now. Once any of these foods are processed they are no longer compatible with Paleo diets. If they are sealed in any form of packaging caution should be the word. Why? Packaging in most cases (not all) hints at some form of intermediate processing such as preservatives, colorings, etc. Also, processed meats such as cold meats are a problem as well. So it is not good enough to just eat meat, fish and non-starchy vegetable. You must know where they originate and how they are handled.

Keep in mind that not all acceptable foods are the same. Consumption of meats and fishes is responsibly unlimited where eggs, fruits, nuts and vegetables should be managed according the diets requirements.

Now to the bad guys. Processed foods are simply bad for you regardless of your dietary habits. Loaded with additives and preservatives, they can rob you of your health. Since most grains, dairy products, refined or processed sugars and oils were not available to our ancestors they are excluded from the diet. Water is the main hydrant with teas and occasional alcohol beverages acceptable on a limited basis.

The specifics of the Paleo diet are readily found throughout the internet.

With respect to exercise, it seems reasonable that our fore fathers (and mothers) didn't need gym memberships. Running for your life seemed to provide them with all the physical activity they needed. Not so with us, unless you frequent certain undesirable neighborhoods. So, exercise must be a component of the overall diet process. Exactly what the program should be, we believe, should be between your trusted healthcare professional and yourself.

Remember, if you have been sedentary for some time, just walking stairs or the dog would make a serious positive impact on your weight loss and body shape.

All Calories Are Not Equal

The National Institute of Health has just published the results of a study of various diets. The results are surprising in that the conclusion is that all calories are not equal. In fact some foods will burn calories instead of adding them to your waistline.

Researchers studied three diets, low-fat, very low carbohydrate and low-glycaemic index. The very low carb diet burned the most calories of the three. A study researcher Dr. David Ludwig stated, "From a metabolic perspective, all calories are not alike. The research subjects burned 350 more calories on the low-carb diet than on the low-fat one. That's roughly equivalent to an hour of moderate physical exercise."

The low carbohydrate diet consisted of 60 percent fat, 30 percent protein, and 10 percent carbohydrate. This is similar to the Atkins diet. One drawback of this type of diet is that it is very hard to stay on it for any length of time.

Participants burned about 150 more calories on the low-glycaemic diet than the low-fat diet. This diet might be a little bit easier to stay on. It consists of 40 percent carbohydrate, 40 percent fat and 20 percent protein. The low-glycaemic diet is similar to the Mediterranean diet.

If you want to lose weight and can't keep to a strict diet make minor adjustments to your food intake. Replace white bread, white flour, white sugar and other white carbohydrates with whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Eliminate simple carbohydrates. These are the sugars, candy bars, cookies, pastries etc. Eat unrefined whole foods and raw foods. Replace simple sugars with complex carbohydrates such as beans, lentils, and brown rice.

There are actually some foods that burn more calories than they contain. Celery, apples, oranges, tomatoes, watermelon, lettuce, and carrots are a few. Replace carbohydrates with these foods. These are foods that you can eat a lot of and will fill you up fast. These and other foods like them take more energy to digest than the calories in them.

Start slowly and learn about nutrition. Study nutrition and healthy living so that you can convince yourself that a low carbohydrate diet is the best diet for a healthy life. Once you are convinced of this it will be easier to stay on the diet.

Start with a low carbohydrate diet and add foods that burn more calories than they contain and you will be well on your way to losing more weight than you ever thought possible. Convince yourself of the health benefits of this type of diet and it will become a way of life.

Author: Linda Tremer