There is a lot of conflicting controversial information regarding energy drinks and food bars that has become apparent in recent years. Some claim they are not healthy for you while others rely on them every day. some energy drinks have been banned or regulated in a few places. There is a wide variety of availability these days in energy, food, diet bars and drinks on the market and some are definitely better for you than others. Here are a few facts regarding those that are safe and healthy for you to consume.

Many people consume energy drinks to give them endurance for working out or exercise . There are a variety of types and ages of people going to the gym who are among those using energy supplements such as these. It's important to stay hydrated for exercise , but in general the best beverage to drink is water. As you may have realized many of the things found in energy drinks that give you that "boost" albeit short term can also have a crashing effect on you later. If you are trying to lose weight and looking for extra energy for a workout be sure you choose one with no added sugar.

Many energy drinks say they are good just because of the herbs and vitamins they claim to add in addition to the sugars and caffeine. These include Taurine, Ginseng, Gingko and various B vitamins. Allot of these supplements are generally known to be good for you but there are some who's status is really unknown as to overall health risk. It's important that you be mindful of the ingredients since some natural stimulants can provide bad side effects when combined with sugar and caffeine like ginseng and guarana for instance. You're probably better to isolate each vitamin separately than in a concoction that can have unpredictable resultsA lot of people who are dieting will choose an energy or food bar in place of a regular meal in hopes that they will lose weight. You will likely find that these contain fewer calories than your normal meal although those calories are not always good ones because they come from sugar and artificial ingredients. Healthy fats and fibers that are essential to your body are absent from these bars if you are replacing too many meals with them. Food bars can of course be a great snack especially if combined with healthy eating habits or as part of a meal but they should not replace regular meals on a regular basis. You have to be careful which bars you are consuming as many are nothing more than a candy bar with a fancy diet like name.

If you're trying to find a healthy energy drink that has a sensible amount of caffeine and zero artificial ingredients, then why not drink green or black tea? As well as having a lower amount of caffeine than coffee or energy drinks, tea is packed with antioxidants and is a calmer way to maintain your alertness. You can drink tea either hot or cold, however be mindful of high sugar contents when you spend money on bottled iced tea in a store or restaurant. Even coffee, when you don't add a bunch of milk or sweetener is more nutritional than the majority of energy drinks. The best way to drink coffee is black, and darker roasts, preferably organic are higher in antioxidants and generally lower in caffeine. Coffee and tea are energy drinks where you at least know what you're getting.

So, you see, common sense is your best judge when it comes to energy drinks and food bars. Don't fall for the hyped up advertising or flashy packaging, make sure you know what you are consuming before you cause irreversible damage to your body. With so many energy drinks available you must find out which ones really are good and which are more of a junk food in a "healthy package".

Author's Bio: 

I write on a variety of fitness and food topics. Take a look at my blog by going to Wine Ratings . Also take a look at one of my fitness blogs by visiting Back Massager .