Last night at practice, a concerned mother of one of the players pulled me aside.

She wanted me to talk to the team about the “R” word…

–> Red Bull.

It turns out some of the players’ older brothers were guzzling “energy” drinks before hitting the ice, and the girls were talking about drinking it before games to increase their performance too.

Keep in mind - these are 11 year old girls!

Energy drinks are everywhere - gas stations, grocery stores, and convenience stores - and each one claims to be able to dramatically increase your energy and performance.

And the truth is….

They do work.

But here are 3 reasons that players should NEVER consume energy drinks.

1) “Mystery” Ingredients

Each energy drink company packs their product with a slightly different mixture of powerful ingredients, such as B vitamins, taurine and guarana. Then there are usually a handful of other ingredients, with names most nutritionists wouldn’t even recognize, thrown in for good measure. You should approach the “mystery” ingredients in these drinks in the same way you should approach them in your food.

If you can’t pronounce it, you shouldn’t eat or drink it.

2) Sugar, Sugar, Sugar

Most energy drinks are packed with sugar. These simple sugars are out of the bloodstream as quickly as they go in. This might give you a short burst of energy - but you’ll be left feeling like you got run over by the Zamboni in no time.

3) 1 Can = 3 Cups of Coffee!!!

The amount of caffeine in one energy drink can equal up to 3 cups of coffee.

I have had exactly one of these energy drinks before. I was in college, trying to stay awake for an “all-nighter” after getting back really late from a road game, and I needed a “boost”. Well let’s just say that a “boost” is an understatement for what I felt - I was completely wired for the whole night.

Think about how you would feel if you downed 3 cups of coffee right now — your heart rate would go through the roof, you would be bouncing off the walls, and you would be unable to think straight. Not exactly what you want before the big game.

The truth is that no magic drink is going to help young players perform their best.

Game-winning nutrition is simple.

Stick to the basics.

Focus on eating real foods.

–> lean protein, like chicken, fish, and lean red meat
–> whole grain carbohydrates, like oats, whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta
–> fruits and vegetables
–> healthy fats, like olive oil, avocado, egg yolks, and others.

And drinking the best energy enhancer ever - water.

All of these options simpler, safer, cheaper - and more effective - than those fancy energy drinks.

Until next time,

Kim