Energy Drink Carb Levels: Would Dr. Atkins Roll Over in His Grave? (Athletes, This is For You, Too)

So it appears we have two types of energy drinks advertising two completely opposite things.

On the one hand, we have those drinks targeted towards health and weight-conscious people boasting that their energy drinks are low-carb or no-carb like Rockstar Zero Carb and Lo-Carb Monster Energy Lo-Carb.

On the other hand, we have those energy drinks targeted towards athletes that boast carb replenishment just like sports drink companies such as Gatorade do.

Let’s take a look at both sides of this energy drink carb level conundrum and try to gain a bit of clarity.

Low Carb Energy Drinks

energy-drink-carb If you’re an athlete undergoing intense training, you need a diet high in carbs. If you’re not, you really, really don’t. Most of us have made the connection between excess carbs and excess flab, so we’ve learned to watch our consumption of soft drinks like regular sodas as well as energy drinks that are high in sugar.

Generally speaking, carbs and calories are going to be approximately directly proportional, so getting a feel for the numbers of one will give you a good idea of what you can expect of the other. Most of the time, those energy drinks like Sobe Andrenaline Rush, with 140 calories in their 8 oz servings are going to have carb levels in the high 30s. Conversely, any drink with zero calories is most often going to have zero carbs.

Almost all of the big name energy drink brands on the market have a no carb or low carb energy drink alternative like Full Throttle Sugar Free, Amp Sugar Free, Monster Lo-Carb, Red Bull Sugar Free and Rockstar Zero Carb, so if you’re looking to cut back, try these options instead of the regular versions.

Sports Energy Drinks

It is recommended that athletes in training consume approximately 60% or more of their daily caloric intake from carbohydrates in order to prevent glycogen depletion. Many athletes who are sick of eating mountains of pasta pack in some of these carbs from sports energy drinks.

Now, there’s a big difference between getting your carbs from an energy drink that has a high carb count because of a load of simple sugars rather than a drink packed with complex carbs that provide athletes with lasting energy.

Drinking a highly caffeinated energy drink like Red Bull, Monster or Rockstar isn’t going to do you any favors when you’re training for that triathalon. Would you chug ten cups of coffee before your morning run?

Me neither.

I would, however, and do, drink something like FRS Healthy Energy, which supplies you with the replenishing carbs and rejuvenating antioxidants you need to power through to the finish line.

Whatever drink you guzzle, remember to check those energy drink carb levels and find out how those carbs are getting to you, whether you need to be leaner and meaner or bigger and stronger.

This is Part 5 in a series of 5 articles pertaining to Energy Drink Nutrition. To read the previous posts, do continue:

• Energy Drink Sugar – This Just In! Energy Drink Sugar Levels Anger Tooth Fairy

• Energy Drink Caffeine – Energy Drink Caffeine Content: We Be Buzzin’

• Energy Drink Herbal – Energy Drink Herbal Ingredients: Are They Really As Healthy As They Say?

• Energy Drinks Taurine – Energy Drinks with Taurine: Info Straight from the Bull’s Balls!