Yeah, she mentioned in the first post they are the low-carb ones. If you don't drink them, you wouldn't know the calories in the low-carb, but I've had them all and can tell you they're usually 10-20 calories for a huge can, so not a big deal calorie-wise. I have a Rockstar low-carb can right here, 10 cal/serving; 2 servings/can. Not too much worse than something like Crystal Light in the calories department anyway.

Now, the non-diet energy drinks are another story of course. ^_^

Yikes is right. That's why I gave up the regular ones and regular soda. Loads and loads of empty cals there.

My advice would be to take the can of whatever brand drink that you usually have, and do a thorough research online of each ingredient, and decide from there. Read more than one article/study on each ingredient.

JMHO...

I love Cystal lights "energy" on the go packs.

They are convenient and low in calories (10 calories for a 16 oz bottle of water) and contain no carbs

and is strawberry flavored.

I swear by them...but my mom says it is all in my head..hey whatever I think they work after I drink it I am no longer draging.

If I am not mistaken, the Crystal Light Energy packs are mainly Crystal Light with the added B vitamins in them-those are pretty decent.

It is mainly the Red Bull, Energy Star, etc. that I have issues with-because of all of the chemicals and stimulants in them.

I find the energy drinks to be kinda hard on the system. If I want the benefits of green tea, I drink green tea. Most of the artificial sweetners make me feel weird and crave more sweets.

JUst another thing to add...I just read in one of my health/fitness magazines that many of the energy drinks raise your blood pressure.

Not sure I understand this comment!

If you get an herbal tea (like a green tea mixed with some fruit) and add in your own artificial sweetener (like Splenda), how is that different from drinking a processed, chemical laden, low calorie energy drink?

At least with the tea you get the bennies of the antioxidants as well as knowing that what you're drinking is natural and unprocessed andyou control the levels of sweetener.

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I've also discovered that plain green tea (I prefer green tea with lemon, or pomgranate, but it's still green tea in a bag) gives me energy. I make it in the evening, drink a big cup in the morning and than another cup during the day. I'm sure it's much healthier than anything out there. I use Stevia as a sweetener, and very little of it.

When I need a quick boost (well, it takes 20-30 min) I take Yerba Mate or Green Tea capsules. I buy the ones with the highest amounts of EGCG, for the added antioxidants. After one of these tea capsules I'm like the Energizer Bunny

Not sure I understand...since when is artificial sweetener natural and unprocessed? The energy drinks I usually drink have added riboflavin, niacin, B6, B12 and potassium and sometimes are the only thing I have time to grab. If I am going to drink something with artificial sweetener, it might as well be something that is convenient, saves me time and works; the added vitamins are a bonus. Luckily I eat a lot of fresh produce to provide me with the antioxidants that I am missing out on by thinking that tea tastes like dirt. Besides, how much tea would I have to drink to get the same kick I get from an energy drink? I work full-time, go to school full-time and have to find time to plan meals, grocery shop, prepare my food and exercise; the last thing I need is something else to take up more of my very precious time (preparing tea). I appreciate your input, but your suggestion won't work for me, I can't force myself into drinking something that tastes gross!

Now this is a good idea...I have seen these before, but wondered if they actually work. Seems as though it would be the perfect solution, since I wouldn't have to taste the tea, but could get the benefits of the antioxidants! I will have to check them at. Thank you!

Hope it works for you Blue!

I actually feel my face getting warm and I'm full of energy after I take them. Try a small container for a time, just to see how it works for you.

You're right. Splenda is processed.

But look at the ingredients of your average energy drink. For example, here are the ingredients in sugar free Red Bull:
Carbonated water, sodium citrate, taurine, glucuronolactone,caffeine, acesulfame k, aspartame, inositol, xanthan gum, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine HCL, vitamin B12, natural and artificial flavors, colors

DNA Low Carb Drink:
Carbonated water,naturaland artificial flavors, brominated vegetable oil, glyceryl abletate, taurine, citric acid, malic acid, inositol, caffeine, salt, sodium citrate, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate(preservatives), sucralose, acesulfame, potassium, guarana seed extract, pyridoxine, hydrochloride, folic acid, cyanocobaiamine, yellow#5 yellow#6

Amp Energy Drink:
Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, natural flavor, orange juice from concentrate, guarana, sodium benzoate, sodium polyphosphates, maltodextrin, caffeine, gum arabic, erythoric acid, taurine, panax ginseng, calcium disodium edta (to product flavor), potassium benzoate, brominated vegetable oil, yellow 5

And so forth. They're all packed with preservatives and chemicals and for any of regular (not "lite" or "diet") versions, the 2nd ingredient is always high fructose corn syrup.

So yeah, splenda or whatever is processed, but given the choice, I'd rather add 1 or 2 packets of splenda (which is a pure sugar derivative and which I can control the quantity) to my brewed tea and know what it is, than drink a bunch of chemicals bound together with added caffeine.

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I guess that is why you drink tea and I drink low carb energy drinks.

Let's stay positive ladies.

I don't know if anyone is aware, but teas contain natural compounds in them as well that couteract the negative effects of caffeine. It's something that is good to know.


Something else that I would like to add, is that everyone has different goals here. Yes, we all want to lose weight and maintain that loss. However, some here are more geared towards wellness and health, and others here just want to lose weight. I, for one, focus on more natural foods and go for things with higher antioxidants, etc. If I choose to have an alcoholic drink, for isntance, I normally go for red wine for the health benefits...while someone else might be happy with their rum & Diet Coke.

Some are happy with just getting down to a normal weight-while others want to become as fit as possible, and end up doing 5ks and marathons, or entering bodybuilding competitions. Everyone's goals are different.

With that being said, I don't mind if someone chooses an energy drink over tea...as long as they are aware of the potential side effects. For me, it is just a personal choice not to put them into my body.

Heya blueyedlvrgirl!

I discovered a great energy drink at Quick Trip, they're smaller at 8.3 oz like Red Bull (I can't always drink those gigantoid ones), calorie and carb free and CHEAP, at like a $1.00 each.

The two they sell are Donkey Kick and Rooster Booster (made by the same company)- where do they come up with these silly names?

They taste great, don't have so much chemical aftertaste, which is my problem with the others. The difference between the two, so far as I can tell is that Rooster Booster doesn't have taurine.

They're also sweetened with Splenda, if that matters to you. All I can say is I'm glad I found them, and am saving tons o' money over the more expensive ones.

My husband, who for some odd reason loves Quick Trip and is a gas station connoisseur thinks they're only sold there.