Eat Your Way to a More Productive Workday
We’re all trying our best to squeeze more productivity out of the workday. The trend to work smarter rather than harder is one that we can’t deny. But you can’t work efficiently without considering how you fuel that productivity. We’re typically so hyperfocused on the tasks at hand that we rarely stop to consider how food affects our energy levels and attention span throughout the day.
What you put into your mouth is critical to your day-to-day performance. The right foods provide the energy your brain needs to function properly.
Most of what we eat is converted to glucose -a sugar- that provides the energy our brain needs to stay alert. When we’re low on glucose, we have a hard time staying focused. Depending on the food, you’ll either get a quick burst of glucose (by drinking an energy drink, for example) or a slow release from foods with higher fat and protein counts (think fried chicken or a burger). Fatty foods require more work to digest. This extra work within the body reduces the levels of oxygen in the brain, which makes us sleepy.
Each person is different and reacts differently to food and drink. But here are a few of the best foods for enhancing
focus and decision-making:
- Blueberries & Blackberries—Dark-colored berries contain a flavonoid that enhances cognitive abilities. They’re also packed with antioxidants that fight off disease, belly bloat, and curb cravings. No cheating, though. Pies don’t count.
- Grass-fed beef—A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that women who had high (but healthy) levels of iron in their systems scored higher on mental tests and completed them faster. Grass-fed beef is packed with iron. And it’s delicious.
- Tuna—A single serving of tuna contains close to 70 percent of your daily does of vitamin B6, which is linked to motivation. That’s because a lack of B6 leads to feelings of depression.
- Pecans—Pecans contain loads of magnesium, an anti-inflammatory. This is great for fighting bloat and minor aches and pains. They’re also packed with Choline, a B-vitamin which helps support the brain’s memory and development.
- Kale—Okay, we all know that kale has the stigma of being a fad food. But it’s for a good reason; a single serving of kale has more calcium than a glass of milk, is full of fiber, and rich in manganese, which increases concentration and brain function. But it gets better. Just one serving holds 1,180 percent of the daily recommendation of vitamin K, which reduces your chances of mental decline.