Energy Robbers

Eating or drinking certain things puts your body under chemical stress and robs you of valuable energy.

Some of the worst offenders we consume on a daily basis are:

Caffeine

	Caffeine is a stimulant; that's one of the reasons you probably drink it - to raise your level of arousal (i.e. stress).
	If you are drinking many cups of coffee a day, then reduce this source of chemical stress by switching all, or part, of your daily intake to a good decaffeinated coffee, or water.

Alcohol

	In small amounts alcohol may help you relax. In larger amounts it may increase stress as it disrupts sleep (and causes hangovers!).
	In large amounts over a long term alcohol will damage your body.

Sugar

	Sugar-rich foods can raise energy in the short term. The problem with this is that your body copes with high levels of sugar by secreting insulin, which reduces the amount of sugar in your blood stream.
	Insulin can persist and continue acting after it has normalized levels of blood sugar, causing a potential energy dip.

Nicotine

	Nicotine is also a stimulant, its toxic effects raise the heart rate and stress the body. Try taking your pulse before and after a cigarette, and notice the difference.
	After the initial period of giving up smoking, most ex-smokers report feeling much more relaxed on a general basis.

If you eat a good, well-balanced diet you should be able to minimize these energy robbers and your body will be receiving all the nutrients it requires to function effectively. Moreover, by controlling your weight you will improve your overall health significantly.

The Two Woodmen