My brother and I are really close. While we live thousands of miles apart right now, I would argue he’s one of the closest people to me in my life. He knows me better than almost anyone – siblings usually do. I mean, who else can understand you (and what a crazy place you’ve come from) more than your little brother? He bore the brunt of my “bossiness” growing up (which I now like to call “Leaning In“, thanks to Sharyl Sandberg), but I wouldn’t say that has changed too much – with the exception of from where it comes. Today it’s out of love rather than out of “big sister status”.
Case in point, when I was home over my holidays this summer, I found my brother taking a pre-workout energizer with testosterone enhancing ingredients (linked to kidney damage, liver damage and cancer) as well as “vasoactive compounds” (re: increase heart rate/blood pressure – aka increase risk of heart attack). I was so upset, I took the tub and dumped it down the toilet (sorry fish!). Needless to say, I was shocked to see something so unhealthy being taken by a professional athlete, let alone my little brother (who has heard me endlessly lecture on “natural” being the best when it came to his athletic performance and overall health). Last spring, I converted him over from whey based proteins to Vega’s Performance Protein, a change he has been happy with thus far.
Which brings me to the point of this review: I went on a hunt for my brother. A hunt for a pre-workout energizer that wouldn’t cause health problems in the future. In the process, I found something perfect for me and my LPN readers (and something for little brother too).
Vega Sugar-Free Energizer Review
Funnily enough, the same week I was on the search for my brother, Vega got in touch with me about their pre-workout energizer that is made with Stevia. And that brings me to the point of my story – Vega makes darn good energy supplements sans sugar, sans crap. When I tried the Sugar-Free Energizer from Vega, I knew it was as must share with you dear LPN’ers. Don’t be scared by the “Sugar Free” notion, it isn’t made with any scary artificial ingredients, instead, the sweetness comes from root-based sweetener, stevia. And some of the kick comes from awesome ingredients like ginger, coconut seed, tumeric and rhodiola (one of the best plants for stress). The complete ingredients are explored below.
Vega’s Sugar-Free Energizer Ingredients
The “non-medicinal ingredients” include:
- Natural blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, acai and pomegranate flavours,
- Citric acid & Malic acid (natural acid found in many fruits, this creates a tangy flavour)
- Red beet powder (Acai Berry flavours only)
- Beta carotene (Lemon Lime flavours only)
- Stevia extract
All natural, all plant based, all good.
Vega’s Sugar-Free Energizer Results
I found this a great addition on those days when I’m running straight from the office to the yoga studio. I don’t want to eat a big dinner before class, (usually I don’t have a heck of a lot of time from A to B), but some days I need a little boost to help get through the practice. Vega’s Sugar-Free Energizer was a great addition to my workout routine and is a great replacement for those coffee drinkers out there too (yes, there is some caffeine from the green tea & yerba mate).
There are only 5 calories per serving, and Vega also sells it in handy little packets that you can take with you on the go (perfect for work straight to the gym, forrest or studio). This wouldn’t be my product of choice for a longer runs (classified as anything over 45 minutes), for that I would recommend Vega’s Pre-Workout Energizer (the product that my brother is now using). The Pre-Workout Energizer (with sugar) combines kombucha, whole grain brown rice syrup and organic palm syrup, in addition to the Sugar-Free energizer ingredients to give you an extra boost.
With that being said, I prefer the Sugar-Free Energizer for my needs, whether it be prior to a Vinyasa Flow or a long meeting at the office.
Now, to the all important discussion of flavours. The Sugar Free Energizer comes in 2 flavours – Lemon Lime and Acai Berry. I’m loving both, but am slightly partial to the Lemon Lime. Maybe because it reminds me of summer (and Norway is already starting to look like fall); either way, you won’t go wrong with either choice.
Where to Buy
You can find Vega all around these days, but if you’re having trouble hunting down the Sugar-Free Energizer, find it on Vega’s online shop. A tub, or a box with 30 individual packets, both retail for $49.99. It works out to be cheaper per gram to get the tub (you get about 12 more servings) but the individual packets are convenient.
In the US & Canada you won’t pass a Whole Foods without seeing this one around.
Charge up, naturally, beauties!
X
K
