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It’s go-go-go this time of year in New Orleans, with Mardi Gras festivities in overdrive – and some of us may be looking for that extra energy boost to help power us through our work and play during Carnival.

 

There’s no doubt that energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster Energy aren’t exactly ‘healthy’ – but what about those energy drink s that are touted as ‘all-natural’?  We’re Getting the Skinny with Molly on her top 5 picks for natural energy drinks.

 

Energy-boosting tips for Mardi Gras:

 

  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Feeling sluggish is one of the first signs of even slight dehydration.  Aim for half your body weight in ounces of fluid daily.  Think water, herbal tea, sparkling waters…

 

  • Sleep: Even if you don’t swing 7+ hours/night, add in a nap to help recharge

 

  • Prioritize: We don’t have to make every party or event during Mardi Gras ! Protect a window of time in each day to relax, unwind, rejuvenate.

 

 

Molly’s 5 Top Picks for Natural Energy Drinks

 

Antioxidant-rich:  Hi-Caf Green Tea (50 mg caffeine) & Double Green Matcha Tea (20 mg caffeine)

  • By Republic of Tea
  • 0 calories – 0 carb – 0 sugar
  • Matcha: Green tea leaves, ground into fine powder. The whole leaf powder is mixed into water for tea, instead of water just infused through the tea leaves, so we get even more of the antioxidant benefit of green tea leaves.

 

 

Water bottle add-in:  nuun energy  tablets – 40 mg caffeine from green tea extract

  • 10 calories – 4 grams carb – 1 gram sugar
  • Naturally sweetened with monkfruit + stevia; no artificial sweeteners or colors

 

 

Carbonated Energy Drink: Zero Sugar Hi-Ball Energy Sparkling Energy Water – 160 mg caffeine per can

  • 0 calories – 0 carb – 0 sugar
  • Contains B vitamins, caffeine, guarana, ginseng; unsweetened
  • Note: guarana can interact with certain medications; Check with physician or pharmacist first

 

 

Energy Shot:  Guayaki Yerba Mate Shot – contains 70 mg caffeine from yerba mate

  • 25 calories – 6 grams carb – 6 grams sugar
  • Contains sugar, yerba mate, juice concentrate, herbs

 

 

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Want more from Molly?  Click here to sign up for Nutrition Bites, her weekly e-newsletter with links to her Get the Skinny TV segments here on WGNO, and her weekly column in NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune!   And you can follow Molly on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram:  @MollyKimballRD