When it comes to the factors that contribute to workplace performance, we generally don’t pay enough attention to the food we eat. Food is the most important part that contributes to workplace productivity, and it can affect us more than we realize. Since food has a direct impact on our daily performance, wrong decisions can disrupt an entire day.
How food choices can affect your productivity?
If you have ever felt unmotivated and tired after a big meal, then you must know that the quality and quantity of food you eat can affect your productivity levels. However, the effects of making wrong food decisions can go much deeper than that because the food provides your body and brain with the materials to keep going. Here is how food affects your brain, productivity, stress, and focus.
Your diet affects your mental health
Due to the meal composition, nutrient content, and effects of the ingredients, your food can have a huge impact on your mental health. Food contains a large number of macronutrients: protein, fats, and carbs. Proteins are the building blocks for the body, carbs provide energy in the form of natural sugars, and fat is vital for brain functioning. Food is the only source for providing us with these healthy nutrients. Therefore, a proper and healthy diet is important to get through the day and make you feel focused and productive. Food with fewer nutrients can lower your blood sugar level and leave you feeling drained.
Ingredients of food affect your productivity
Healthy foods contain a healthy amount of antioxidants, which prevent inflammation and cell damage leading to chronic disease and stress. Moreover, foods that are high in sugar are associated with stress, poor sleep, and depression, which decrease productivity. Most people have an intolerance towards gluten, dairy products, or few vegetables, which can also affect their ability to perform daily activities.
5 foods to avoid for increased productivity
Now you have read that what you eat can severely impact your levels of productivity, there are various foods and drinks that you can avoid to stay healthy and productive. Simply think about how certain foods make you feel afterward and try to reduce it as much as possible. If you want to live a healthy lifestyle with increased productivity, learn about these given foods and cut them off.
1. Soda
Drinking soda is something you cannot avoid, especially when you are with friends, having dinner, or you have had a long tiring day. A can of soda is nothing more than water, food coloring, sugar, and bubbles, but it's delicious and irresistible. Despite its delicious flavor and refreshing effect, it is unhealthy for your body. Instead of sucking down sodas, it is better to stick to water because the sugar in sodas can seriously inhibit your ability to perform things.
2. Coffee
Coffee has been frequently used in almost every household as it is considered a great source of energy. Most people prefer drinking iced coffee, while others like to have hot black coffee right after sleep. However, relying on it is not the best idea because coffee brings an energy crash with the instant energy boost. Moreover, the addiction to coffee can leave you feeling tired and unproductive.
3. Fast food
You might have experienced the situation of slipping into a food coma after having a big fast-food meal. Fast food is the biggest enemy of productivity despite being delicious and easily accessible. Fast foods like burgers, pizzas, and wraps with sodas and fries are delicious, and you cannot say no to them. So, pack your lunch before leaving and avoid fast food as much as possible.
4. Junk food
Junk food contains a lot of calories and sugar with no minerals and nutritional value. Like soda, eating junk food can give you a sugar crash as it contains an insane amount of sugar and additives. Your body responds to such food by releasing certain chemicals that, in turn, make you unproductive and sluggish. So, do yourself a favor and replace the junk food with healthy snacks like baby carrots, cucumber or protein shakes.
5. Cheese
Well, cheese is a good source of calcium and protein, so you can have a couple of small pieces but don’t go overboard. Cheese can cause digestion issues, which can keep you from becoming productive.
Conclusion
Food is the fuel for the body because it provides your body with the essential minerals, vitamins, and calories you need throughout the day. However, some high foods are sugars, salt, cheese, or additives that can have the opposite effect. Therefore, make sure to choose your food wisely and avoid the above-mentioned foods.
