Going gluten-free is becoming more popular lately as it claims to help you shed a few pounds and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Show
Going gluten-free is especially important if you’ve just found out that you’re intolerant to gluten or have celiac disease. Can you still be drinking energy drinks? Are there any energy drinks out there that are gluten-free? The short answer is: Yes, there are plenty of gluten-free energy drinks that can provide you with energy without triggering any unpleasant side effects. For a detailed discussion on gluten-free energy drinks, from the energy drink ingredients to a list of gluten-free recommendations, stick around… What’s A Gluten-Free Diet?Gluten is present in many baked goods including bread.A gluten-free diet is the exclusion of gluten-containing foods like wheat, barley, and rye from a daily diet. Gluten is a group of proteins that are commonly found in wheat, rye, and spelt. Unfortunately, some people exhibit negative reactions after eating gluten-containing foods. The most severe reactions come from people who have celiac disease. According to a professor from Orebro University Hospital, if you’re gluten-intolerant or have celiac disease, having a diet free from gluten is absolutely essential. He also recommends that if you suspect you develop certain unpleasant symptoms from gluten-containing foods, it’s best to get tested first before excluding gluten from your daily diet. This is because it’s not advisable for everyone to just switch to a gluten-free diet. An article on the Harvard website states that unless you’ve celiac disease or gluten intolerance, you’ll be setting yourself up for some nutritional deficiencies if you insist on following a gluten-free diet.
Does Gluten-Free Mean No Sugar?Gluten free food products actually tend to have more sugar than gluten-containing foods. Gluten is important in the process of making foods because it gives them strong and tasty textures and flavors. Since gluten-free products can’t have gluten in them, it’s often substituted with more fat, sugar, and salt as flavor and taste enhancers. However, if you must follow a gluten-free diet, you must watch your daily sugar intake. For reference, the recommended maximum daily sugar intake from AHA is as follows:
An excessive intake of sugar over time may lead to health issues like:
You can limit your consumption of sugar by consuming these foods in moderation and including natural gluten-free foods in your diet. Can You Lose Weight By Having A Gluten-Free Diet?You don’t necessarily lose weight by having a gluten-free diet unless you’re also reducing your calorie intake. A gluten-free diet can help you to shed some pounds if you’re doing away with gluten-containing foods that are high in calories, sugar, and carbs like cookies, bread, and cakes. On top of that, you also need to include exercise while following this diet to burn off the calories you’ve consumed.
Does Gluten Free Give You More Energy?A gluten-free diet can give you more energy, as long as you’re consuming less processed foods. Though there aren’t any studies that confirm gluten-free diets can improve energy levels, if you’re consuming more vegetables, fruits, and nuts than processed foods, you’ll certainly be more energetic and become less tired. The key to a balanced gluten-free diet is to increase your intake of healthy, natural foods. If you consume a lot of gluten-free snacks, your energy levels will still remain low. Can You Drink Caffeine On A Gluten Free Diet?You don’t have to give up caffeine if you’re going gluten-free.Caffeine is gluten-free, so it’s perfectly okay for you to drink caffeine on a gluten-free diet.
For guidance, the FDA recommends a daily caffeine limit of no more than 400mg for healthy adults. Any more than that, and you might end up with some nasty adverse effects such as:
Energy drinks can have large amounts of caffeine, which can lead to a different world of trouble if you have too much. Thus, you need to moderate the number of energy drink cans you have in a day according to their respective caffeine content. Does Red Bull Have Gluten?Red Bull doesn’t have gluten. Red Bull’s manufacturer has also officially stated on their website that Red Bull is gluten-free.
I’ve covered an article on whether it’s safe to drink Red Bull every day, so if you’re curious to learn more about Red Bull, this article is for you. Is Rockstar Gluten-Free?Rockstar is gluten-free. Rockstar’s ingredients do not contain any traces of wheat, whey, or barley thus it’s safe to assume that it’s gluten-free. To know more about Rockstar’s ingredients and nutrition facts, check out this article I’ve written on this topic. Game FuelEven if you’re not a gamer, you can still enjoy Game Fuel.From the same company that brought the fan-favorite soda Mountain Dew, Game Fuel is a caffeinated energy drink with amazing taste and benefits. Originally targeted at gamers and people who love gaming in general, Game Fuel has an ideal 90mg of caffeine, making it suitable for you even if you have a low caffeine metabolism. Besides that, Game Fuel also has natural ingredients like Panax ginseng extract and yerba mate extract that may contribute to better performance. Game Fuel is also certified gluten-free, so you don’t have to worry about it disrupting your gluten-free diet or causing side effects if you have celiac disease. However, Game Fuel contains 23g of sugar and 90 calories, so you may need to slot in a little workout session after having a can to burn off the calories. The price of a 16 fl.oz can of Game Fuel is around $2, which, in my opinion, is quite reasonable. If you want to know more about Game Fuel and if it’s worth your money, check out my Game Fuel energy drink review, which you might find helpful. Full ThrottleFull Throttle may have limited flavors, but it’ll energize you all the same.Full Throttle has a higher caffeine content than Game Fuel, containing 160mg of caffeine per 16 fl.oz. Although it doesn’t contain an impressive line-up of ingredients, Full Throttle is completely gluten-free.
A single can of Full Throttle costs around $3, which is quite a hefty price if you ask me. Still, if you love the taste and are willing to spend extra money, Full Throttle might be a good investment, but if you prefer something more affordable, you should look for other energy drinks. Monster Zero UltraIf you’re a fan of Monster Energy but prefer something with less sugar, you might want to consider Monster Zero Ultra. Monster Zero Ultra is the sugar-free version of Monster, free of the extra 54g of sugar and 190 calories of the original Monster. With 140mg of caffeine, Monster Zero Ultra can still provide you with a big boost of energy, this time without those pesky sugar crashes. Besides that, it’s also certified gluten-free like the original Monster! The price of a 16 fl.oz can of Monster Zero Ultra is around $1.50, which is very affordable compared to the previous energy drinks mentioned. REIZE (10 Out Of 10)REIZE is versatile and can be customized to your own preference.REIZE is a powdered energy drink that comes in lightweight 4g sachets, making it really convenient to take around with you wherever you go. With a sensible 50mg of caffeine, REIZE is also sugar-free and has only 11 calories, which won’t disrupt your daily calorie intake. REIZE also contains a smart blend of wholesome ingredients like taurine, ginseng, and B vitamins that work together to supply you with an energy boost without the sugar crash afterward. Besides being vegan-friendly and gluten-free, REIZE is customizable and can be mixed with almost any of your favorite beverages like sparkling water and juice. If that isn’t a sweet enough deal for you, REIZE also ships straight to your doors for only $1 per sachet. That’s great value for money. Give REIZE a try, and you might agree that REIZE is the smarter gluten-free option compared to other energy drink brands. Other Articles:
Are Red Bull energy drinks glutenYes, Red Bull Energy Drink is gluten-free, wheat-free, lactose-free and dairy free! Learn more about Red Bull ingredients here.
Can celiacs have Red Bull?Yes, Red Bull Energy Drink is gluten free, wheat free, lactose free and dairy free!
What does sugarCarbonated Water , Citric Acid , Taurine , Sodium Bicarbonate , Magnesium Carbonate , Caffeine , Acesulfame K , Aspartame , Niacinamide , Calcium Pantothenate , Pyridoxine HCl , Vitamin B12 , Xanthan Gum , Natural And Artificial Flavors , Colors .
Is Red Bull SugarWhile sugar-free Red Bull is lower in sugar and calories, it packs the same amount of caffeine as regular Red Bull. Plus, as it contains artificial sweeteners, regular consumption may still increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
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