Ask an expert
Search expert health advice:
Browse by expert
- Allergy expert
- Anti-ageing expert
- Arthritis expert
- Breast cancer expert
- Cancer expert
- CyberDoc
- Oral health expert
- Diabetes expert
- EnviroHealth expert
- Family law expert
Question
02 Jul 2005
Share
Is this new habit bad?
Dear Doc
I have recently quit smoking (about 1 month) and my weight has remained consistent. Because I study and work, I often have to work long hours and am more often than not sleep-deprived. I have discovered sugar-free Redbull that I have started drinking it almost every morning to get a boost. I know it is loaded with caffeine but how much is too much?
My logic is that redbull is better than smoking but I know I cannot compensate for not smoking by drinking excess caffeine! Do you suggest I cut down on caffeine and if so, how much should I be consuming a day?
I have recently quit smoking (about 1 month) and my weight has remained consistent. Because I study and work, I often have to work long hours and am more often than not sleep-deprived. I have discovered sugar-free Redbull that I have started drinking it almost every morning to get a boost. I know it is loaded with caffeine but how much is too much?
My logic is that redbull is better than smoking but I know I cannot compensate for not smoking by drinking excess caffeine! Do you suggest I cut down on caffeine and if so, how much should I be consuming a day?
DietDoc
Dear Wings
Congratulations for stopping smoking, this will benefit your health a great deal. However, it is not advisable to drink Red Bull every morning to give you the energy to carry on for the day. This is also a negative habit and may make you even more tired in the long run and give you symptoms like palpitations and tremors. You could start substituting that Red Bull with a proper breakfast to get you going, e.g. fruit juice, cereal, milk or yoghurt, wholewheat toast with cheese or jam and a cup of coffee (which will also give you some caffeine). Generally speaking a cup of coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine per cup, which is similar to the Red Bull, but if you combine your cofee with a meal that is rich in carbohydrates and some protein, it will sustain your energy levels for longer. Give breakfast a try. You also need to do something about your sleep deprivation because the less you sleep, the greater the exhaustion and decrease in concentration. It may help to go for a brisk walk for 30 min a day to improve your blood circulation and oxygen supply to your system, so that you can get some relaxing sleep at least once a day or night.
Hang in there
DietDoc
Congratulations for stopping smoking, this will benefit your health a great deal. However, it is not advisable to drink Red Bull every morning to give you the energy to carry on for the day. This is also a negative habit and may make you even more tired in the long run and give you symptoms like palpitations and tremors. You could start substituting that Red Bull with a proper breakfast to get you going, e.g. fruit juice, cereal, milk or yoghurt, wholewheat toast with cheese or jam and a cup of coffee (which will also give you some caffeine). Generally speaking a cup of coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine per cup, which is similar to the Red Bull, but if you combine your cofee with a meal that is rich in carbohydrates and some protein, it will sustain your energy levels for longer. Give breakfast a try. You also need to do something about your sleep deprivation because the less you sleep, the greater the exhaustion and decrease in concentration. It may help to go for a brisk walk for 30 min a day to improve your blood circulation and oxygen supply to your system, so that you can get some relaxing sleep at least once a day or night.
Hang in there
DietDoc
The information provided does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition. You should consult a medical practitioner or other appropriate health care professional for a physical examination, diagnosis and formal advice. Health24 and the expert accept no responsibility or liability for any damage or personal harm you may suffer resulting from making use of this content.
