<p>MoWC- You have those Moon Pies on the brain! I can’t picture Moon Pies, and here in Amish land it reminds me of Cow Pies - which we won’t talk about.</p>
<p>By the way, Diet Coke has more caffeine than regular coke. And of course, how that compares to tea depends on the type of tea leaves (there are many types of green tea) and how long it is brewed.</p>
<p>As someone who fights the craving for a jolt of caffeine, but is also very sensitive, I would encourage her not to start the habit or break the pattern now. I am fully aware of how hard it is - but boy you feel better if you aren’t staying awake with caffeine. There have been recent studies (I’ll look for them) that demonstrated that while people who are tired feel more alert on caffeine, their ability to concentrate remains impaired.</p>
<p>I know (believe me I am feelin’ real humble about this) it would be so much better if DD got more quality sleep and stayed hydrated with water.</p>
<p>I am not a “health nut” but I would def stay away from any of the diet sodas with the chemical artificial sweeteners, that is a huge can of worms. Also we have worked to try to get as much as the high fructose corn syrup out of our diets as possible, it has been shown (I believe there was a thread on this a while ago) the be a big if not the main culprit of the fattening of America. If she can’t find a workable alternative she would probably be better off finding a cane sugar soda.</p>
<p>SRW - I like the phrase “can of worms” in this case. I am going to try to use that image to banish my cravings.</p>
<p>Lol, funny that only one person has suggested “more sleep”. But better sleep habits ARE the obvious solution. And the healthiest one in the long run.</p>
<p>srw, just last week a study came out indicating that as few as two cans of non-diet soda a week are associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. They aren’t sure yet, but the suspected culprit is the high fructose corn syrup. I think OP said her daughter is drinking diet soda, so she is avoiding the hfcs.</p>
<p>I just read this thread and I too am surprised that only Worknprogress suggested the obvious - get more sleep! I realize that it can be extremely difficult to get young people to believe that they’d function better if they improved their sleep habits, but I’d suggest to the OP that you try.</p>
<p>The studies on caffeine seem to swing one way and then the other - it’s bad for us one day and it improves concentration the next. Personally, I spend no time contemplating whether or not the drug is good for us. I learned in my mid 20s that I am one of those people who cannot tolerate even small amounts of caffeine, so I don’t consume it in any form. There have been times when I’ve wished I could drink a Coke for the energy boost, so I do understand why the OP’s D wants a healthy alternative to soft drinks. </p>
<p>IMHO, the healthiest approach would be to improve her sleep habits and to make sure that she’s eating a healthy diet. Since I have hypoglycemia, in addition to my extremely low tolerance for caffeine, I know how wrung out one can feel when it’s been too long between meals. I’d suggest that OP’s D eat regular meals and make sure she’s getting enough protein. Eliminating white flour and highly processed foods from her diet would go along way toward improving her energy level in the afternoon.</p>
<p>Perhaps her blood sugar level is fluctuating.
Too much starches and sugars on a late breakfast/early lunch may have a sleepy affect in the afternoon. Also natural body rhythm may dictate a Power Nap.</p>
<p>Hey I suggested more sleep first! And a better breakfast!</p>
<p>No one listens to me… </p>
<p>::slinking away::</p>
<p>No, we were just snoozing while we read your post :)</p>
<p>Sleep. I remember how hard it was to get enough sleep as a college student. My son says the same. As a friend of his puts it “I have three things to balance - Academics, Social Life, and Sleep. Sleep usually loses out”. </p>
<p>As I think about it, substituting strong tea for diet coke would be a healthier choice. But hey, it’s not THAT big of a deal. As a college student, I would wake up in the morning and have a can of Coke and Funny Bones before class. Yeah, horrible. But I am now one of the “nutritionally obsessed”, reading all labels, shunning artificial ingredients and processed foods. It’s just hard to be that way at college :)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>An orange has about 50 calories. If there is a sugar metabolism problem, could be the wrong solution.</p>
<p>I agree with more sleep- less carbs at lunch - more protein.
If she has time to do a wall sit ( lie on your back, butt against the wall, legs straight supported by the wall), that can be very energizing, as can light exercise ( slogging with a backpack to class doesn’t help so much, try a dance class after lunch)</p>
<p>Green tea has caffiene- but I am a big fan of [url=<a href=“http://www.emergenc.com/]Emergen-C[/url”>http://www.emergenc.com/]Emergen-C[/url</a>], great to boost your energy ( and keep away viruses)</p>
<p>It positions itself as the “antidote to head fog.” [Brain</a> Toniq - The world’s first organic, botanical-based, non-caffeinated think drink](<a href=“http://www.braintoniq.com/]Brain”>http://www.braintoniq.com/)</p>
<p>My cousin, who is very herbal/organic, is a big believer in this and my kids and my wife think it helps them. (I have a fancy espresso maker, which makes me extremely happy.) If you believe the claims, not only does it stimulate the system but makes you think better. It has no caffeine and is organic but is supposed to improve cognitive function. Who knows, but as I said, it has a following in my family.</p>
<p>I like Lipton Diet Green Tea with Mixed Berry. 11 mg caffeine (about half the caffeine of a Diet Pepsi) - maybe enough to wake her up a bit without keeping her awake later? I think carbonation can be rough on an empty stomach, so that’s another plus for the tea.
[Pepsi</a> Products: Caffeine Information](<a href=“http://www.pepsiproductfacts.com/caffeine.php]Pepsi”>http://www.pepsiproductfacts.com/caffeine.php)</p>
<p>shawbridge - that tonic stuff looks interesting. They have them at Wegmans so I might give them a try for when I have writers block (20 grams of sugar though…i wish they made one with less).
EK…I do those wall sits you’re talking about. Feels great.</p>