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Posted

It's been almost two week since I've cracked open a can of Monster.

I've been trying to quit alcohol and overeating for a decade now, and it turns out that those two things weren't the problem at all.  Energy drinks were the problem the whole time.

These energy drinks, I found, caused a whole lot more problems than I realized.

I had two side gigs - Uber and DoorDash - but I got kicked off of Uber after 8 years back in October.  Complaints of "dangerous driving" (which have nothing to do with the energy drinks, by the way - I do admit that I'm an impatient driver at times).  Most of my side gig was done on Uber.  In fact, I didn't make enough on DoorDash to get a 1099 from them for 2023.

I don't have to do these side gigs.  Certainly not the extent that I did them.  But I was addicted to them.  If I was at home, the road was calling my name.  And I always drank 2 to 4 energy drinks per day to be able to keep driving.  What I learned later was that energy drinks was causing this impulsive behavior.

When Uber went away, DoorDash took over.  The money for DoorDash wasn't as good (because I hadn't reached "Platinum Status" until about two weeks ago, so it's as good now), so there was less motivation for me to be on the road.  I bought a coffee maker two weeks ago - a cheap one for $10 at Walmart, and I only drank it in the morning.  I stopped the energy drinks, feeling that coffee in the morning should get me through the day.

I noticed that my alcohol cravings every night were completely gone.  I also noticed that I had the ability to easily ignore snack foods that caught my attention at the convenience store later in the day.  But I couldn't ignore them in the morning.  So after a week of drinking coffee, I stopped.

It turns out that all that caffeine I was consuming had me in a place where I was perpetually seeking calmness and comfort - and I always found it in food and alcohol.

Caffeine was the problem the whole time.  It made me impulsive.  While it did not curtail my ability to do things that I'm supposed to be doing, it did curtail my ability to resist doing the things that I should not be doing.

While the temptation to grab an energy drink hasn't gone away completely, I find that resisting energy drinks is way easier than resisting alcohol after I've had energy drinks.

When I dropped the coffee, I decided to go all out and eliminate caffeine completely.

So for anyone having an issue with eating and/or alcohol; if you consume large amounts of caffeine - especially through energy drinks of coffee - start there first.  The rest will follow.

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Posted

I like that you're starting small. It helps, when making the decision to cut back on things, to start with obtainable goals. It also takes a lot of patience and will power. We want to see results quickly, so we make ourselves miserable by cutting back on everything. In truth, just cutting out soda, or even switching to 0 calorie alternatives, can really help you lose some pounds. My uncle cut out Dr. Pepper and lost 50 pounds because he was drinking so much. This inspired him to make other healthy choices based on how good he felt after doing so. Of course, moderation is key, but if it's an issue to even drink one, then going cold turkey can be best. I'm glad that you have found something that works for you, and that it's inspiring you to go further in your health journey.

I've noticed a recent trend of cutting out caffeine going through the world. For my part, I have certainly noticed that I drink a lot of it and have made an effort to cut down. I have ADHD, and often caffeine, being a stimulant, works well with my ADHD brain. However, I was consuming too much of it and recently decided to limit myself to 1 - 2 cups a day. A significant decrease from 4 - 5. It also has the added benefit of saving me money. Coffee and energy drinks add up in expenses!

Martial arts training is 30% classroom training, 70% solo training.


https://www.instagram.com/nordic_karate/

Posted

This is an interesting discovery.  I haven't been able to consume caffeine or alcohol for some time now, but I don't know that it has helped my eating habits.  I never really was an energy drink guy, but I did like my coffee.  Not had any in some time now.

Thanks for sharing this with us, @KorroddyDude.

Posted

Caffeine and Sugar have been linked together for a long time; as caffeine on its own is quite unpleasant. 

Also with the type of sugar that is used over in the US it can compound the issue for people and weight issues.  

Caffeine can in some ways be a whole lot more addictive than what sugar can be. Which is why you found issues around being calm. 

Back when I had an issue with Alcohol; I didn't have an issue with Highly Caffeinated Drinks (Energy Drinks). But when I quit the alcohol, I swapped it with the energy drinks (1/day). Yet in the last couple of years when I Mentally when downhill I consumed more daily than what was safe. 

WHat I have learnt is that Caffeine can mask your stomachs receptors to say "I'm hungry" as the amount of sugar in them is quite high. that's why a lot of people snack later on.

Posted

I’ve never been someone who drank any type of energy drinks.

I was a huge coffee drinker until I was diagnosed with Afib in 2018. People with Afib should never drink coffee/energy drinks!! So, I've obeyed my doctors advice ever since and my crave for a cup of coffee has finally been kicked to the curb. 

My cup of coffee would always be fully loaded: coffee creamer and sugar!! I’d drink a coffee makers worth every morning for decades.

The American Health Association notes that Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, which can contribute to cardiac complications like Afib. Caffeine can also make symptoms like palpitations worse for some people.

Energy drinks contain more sugar than soda or juice, and too much sugar can increase the risk of Afib. Artificial sweeteners can also increase the risk of Afib for those who don’t have Afib.

Energy drinks can trigger Afib. Afib is something that stays with you for the rest of your life. I had a cardiac inversion procedure performed on me in 2019, it’s where they shock your heart back into rhythm. My procedure only lasted 6 months!! That bummed me out!! My cardiologist refused to do that procedure again, kind of a one-time thing, so the doctor told me that I’d have to live with it and take my Eliquis 2 times a day.

:-)

**Proof is on the floor!!!

Posted

So by chance I was just asked by a friend of mine who is in the beginning stages of writing a thesis on Sugary Drinks and Caffeinated Drinks: 

As I am just assisting in getting cans and bottles (labels) so they can get data on serving sizes and how much is in each. 

So for 1 500ml Can of Mother (Rainbow Sherbet) - 1 can = 1 serving

- Carbohydrates (Total) = 70.5g 

          - Sugars = 67.5g 

- Sodium = 250mg 

Caffeine = 150mg 

Niacin (Vit B3) = 22.5mg 

Pantothenic Acid = 8.5mg

B6 = 2.0 mg 

B12. = 3.5 ug (ug = micrograms)

Taurine = 2000mg 

Inositol = 10mg

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Sucrose (Table Sugar/Sugar in a different form), Acidity Regulators (Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate), Taurine, Flavour, Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate), Caffeie, Vitamins (Niacine (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12), Sucralose, Inositol, Colour (Allura Red AC). 

*Allura Red AC = Red No. 40 Metabolised by Intestinal Bacteria which produce Free Aromatic Amines which *MAY* be carconigenic and mutagenic

*Sucralose = Sucralose is made by substituting chlorine atoms for three hydroxyl groups in sucrose, a natural sugar. 

THIS WAS MADE IN AUSTRALIA: Local and Imported Ingredients 

US may replace certain ingredients: Typically replace the Sucrose for High Fructose Corn Syrup

 

Vs Woolworths (Store-Brand) Raspberry Flavoured Soft Drink 1.25L 

Total Servings: 5             Serving Size = 250ml (8.4 US Fluid Oz)

No Caffeine 

Carbohydrates = 24.8g 

           - Sugars = 24.8g 

Sodium = 8mg  

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Acidity Regulators (Citric Acid, Acetic Acid), Natural Flavours, Natural Colours (Anthocyanins), Preservative (202)

*Preservative (202) = Potassium Sorbate 

*Natural Colours (Anthocyanins) = Naturally occurring in certain flowers - certain conditions dictate the colour it produces

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