I know that energy drinks probably aren't the best for me...but I work long graveyard shifts and have become addicted to them over the last few months...I don't drink them everyday..but frequently. I have been reading lately about how artificial sweetners are hindering peoples weight loss programs because of insulin release and confusion on the part of the metabolism (expecting calories and not getting any)..My question is which is the better option (or less evil option really) the energy drinks flavored with sugar (about 250 calories) or the diet ones (about 20 calories). I have been eating clean lately and doing quite well with it...Just have this one weakness..any ideas?

why dont you have coffee of something instead?

Water or green tea (no sugar or other sweetener)? Or lower sodium vegetable juice?

Energy drinks are for use during extended athletic activity, not at other times.

yeah that is mostly when I use them...I exercise on my break at work (usually when I am starting to get low on energy anyway) and I will slug one an hour or so before doing so..I have tried coffee and green tea and neither are quite strong enough...although I love green tea and drink quite a bit of it anyway...and of course I get plenty of water the essential ingredient...just curious that if I were going to keep using energy drinks, which is the lessor evil...sugar or sweetners???

If you are trying to lose weight I would say go with the sweetener, and if not... probably go with the sweetener anyway if you really need to have an energy drink. Some will disagree, but all that sugar is just not something I would want to have surging my body at one time.

actually I am trying to bulk up, but I want to minimize the fat gained in the process because I recently cut down 55 pounds...then cut again then bulk again...i'm in a process that will take years..dropped from 205 down to 150..ultimately I want to bench double my weight and be under 10% bf...

If you're going to drink something with artificial sweeteners, just make sure you eat something with protein along with it. That way your metabolism isn't quite so "confused" and your insulin won't surge and make your blood sugar crash. The protein will keep the insulin levels stable, and you won't have to worry about excess calories from sugar.

I agree with the green tea comment, if you're trying to lose weight and feel healthy.

I hate the taste of regular green tea, so I always drink Lipton's Orange, Jasmine & Passion Fruit green tea. It is a bit sweeter and I don't necessarily feel like I'm drinking green tea. I love it, give it a try

be careful with liptons it has high fructose corn syrup....VERY bad stuff