Caffeine

Dia Minha · #1 06-04-2007, 06:26 PM

Did you know that an 8oz bar of chocolate has as much caffeine as 12oz can of Coke?

I weaned myself off of diet Coke about four months ago and really haven't been seeing any benefits. I was informed that the sleep I would get at night would be better if I was off caffeine and that would help with my tiredness during the day. However, I haven't seen that happening. I have been very discouraged about the tiredness I feel starting in early afternoon and fighting it through the busiest time of my day. I recently came across this article on the LDS.org website [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] and now I'm thinking, I might need to re-evaluate my chocolate intake.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

runamyrun · #2 06-04-2007, 10:17 PM

Oh no!

I don't know much about caffeine, but I do know that I feel really tired after eating any kind of sugar. It sure takes some of the fun out of eating treats!

**5ft Diva** · #3 06-04-2007, 11:49 PM

Interesting article. The chocolate thing is personal but if you're wondering, I'm not planning on changing my habits regarding chocolate.

***Big_Sissy*** · #4 06-05-2007, 01:17 AM

ha ha, guess that's why I'm so tired all the time... oh, that's right I'm still drinking Diet Coke

Not for long...

Dia Minha · #5 06-05-2007, 12:17 PM

I wasn't saying that any one needed to quit drinking Coke or eating chocolate. It says right in the article that the church does not say you can not drink cola or eat chocolate. However it did say that if there was a food that caused adverse affects that it might be considered against the word of wisdom to eat it. Like for my five year old to purposefully eat peanut butter or if I were to load him up on wheat every meal every day.

I was really just wondering if anyone has noticed any benefits from quiting drinking cola or eating chocolate. I guess I'm just going back to my own personal struggle with what exactly does the Word of Wisdom say to me. What personal revelation do I receive from reading those words. I'm really struggling with eating well myself and then add my five year olds diet restrictions on top of it, I'm just really frustrated with food all over again.

Dia

***Big_Sissy*** · #6 06-05-2007, 03:21 PM

Dia,

don't fret it, it's been on my list for a while now to quit drinking the crap. And I agree -- The WW is a very personal item. What is black and white is black and white, but what isn't is between you and the Big Man.

I'm sorry to hear about your frustration -- I think you and I may have more in common than either of us knows.

Erudite · #7 06-09-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dia Minha

I have been very discouraged about the tiredness I feel starting in early afternoon and fighting it through the busiest time of my day.

Dia, I get this too. Afternoons are the WORST for me. That's when I crave something sweet and I know that the craving is related to a blood sugar low. And I know that eating sugar is the worst way to handle it because I get a minor boost and then I'm even more tired. The best way I've found to handle it is to eat a small meal about 3pm, just before the worst of the "tireds" hit. That meal has to include a reasonable amount of fiber and protein so that I keep my blood sugar stable. It also makes it so that I'm not ravenous by dinner time. I'm not always smart enough to remember to do a good job at this, but I sure like life better when I do. I just do better on smaller meals more often.

As for caffeine, I can't think that has much to do with it for me, since I don't eat a lot of chocolate and don't drink coffee or cola drinks at all...which I only point out because, like 5D, I'm not changing my chocolate intake anytime soon.

Dia Minha · #8 06-09-2007, 07:34 PM

Thanks for the suggestion Erudite. I do try to eat more smaller meals throughout the day, because I tend to get extra tired after a bigger meal. It looks like I might need to concentrate on foods that regulate blood sugar levels and see what that might do for me.

Thanks for understanding. I have had people and doctors tell me to take a power nap. I just laugh and ask them if they would be willing to come over to my house and keep the kids quiet and entertained long enough for that to happen. Haven't had a volunteer yet.

Dia

Erudite · #9 06-09-2007, 07:54 PM

hmmm...do you know what a "power nap" is? They're very short naps that refresh. If you let them go on longer than 20 minutes, you'll wake up groggy. And guess what? 20 minutes is exactly how long "Blue's Clues" is. (Insert your kids' favorite show for Blue's Clues...they're all about 20 minutes.) Since I have this afternoon problem, I often lay down on the couch in the same room with my kids and close my eyes for a few minutes. My naps rarely last more the 20 minutes, but I always wake up feeling better for having taken them. If I go upstairs and lay down for an hour...I feel worse. You might give it a try. If you're truly sleepy, you'll sleep. And the kids won't let it go on too long.

Dia Minha · #10 06-09-2007, 08:48 PM

Oh believe me I have tried. There is something about mommy saying I need 20 minutes that lets the little devils out. I'm not saying that it doesn't work all the time. Just not every day.

Dia