We all know how exhausting it can be to retain the same amount of energy at work every single day. Not only can it be a real drag, but it also tends to negatively affect your potential and productivity levels, at work, school or even at home. While some of us may tend to emphasise over setting a decent sleep schedule, most of us lag behind in terms of our eating habits, which is just as crucial.
Just by following a few do’s and don'ts you can start to witness drastic changes in your overall productivity levels. Building nutritious eating habits and avoiding foods that slow you down can be a real game changer.
Even if this may seem like a daunting task, trust us, it's not. This article will walk you through some effective ways and simple changes you can make to easily skyrocket your productivity levels.
How healthy food impacts work
Did you know that unhealthy eating contributes to over 66% of an increased risk of loss of productivity? Nutrition is known to have a direct impact on a worker’s productivity level. Imagine not being able to do your best whilst being fully capable enough to do so. Eating right can give you energy and significantly boost your performance. It helps your body to properly process the nutrients in the foods you consume to maximise them and give you the optimal energy required to stay ahead.
What foods to AVOID
Junk food- We hate to break it to you, but of course the old culprit IS junk food. Over time you tend to lose alertness at work and snacking on deep-fried snacks and excessive sugar can speed up the process. Consuming meals rich in trans and saturated fats will leave you feeling lethargic. Similarly sugary foods might trigger your energy levels for a while, but that is only short lived before it is followed by a crash in your overall energy.
Caffeine- While a certain amount of caffeine may give you a kickstart, reaching out for multiple espressos or chocolate coffee pods can have a direct impact on your productivity. Just like sugar, it too may trigger a quick spike in energy but that quickly goes downhill where you lose energy. A better approach is to consume minimal amounts of caffeine to stay productive throughout the day.
Staples you MUST include in your diet
Almonds
If you wish to increase focus, almonds are just what you need. Incorporate this into your diet as these nuts are loaded with healthy fats and essential calories that can positively impact your performance at work. Not to mention, almonds also contain a whole lot of protein that allows you to fulfil your daily diet without feeling too lazy.
Bananas
To fulfil your daily dose of glucose, having a banana contains just the right amount to keep your body feeling productive and energetic at work. Bananas contain glucose that help you stay productive and they are also rich in carbohydrates that keeps you feeling full for longer. So it’s safe to say that bananas may even double as a diet snack!
Green tea
This is a great, nutritious alternative to coffee that is sure to boost your productivity. Green tea possesses a crucial element known as L-theanine, an amino acid that increases focus and improves alertness in an individual.
Spinach
Havard medical schools deems these super leaves to be capable of slowing down the rate of cognitive decline upon consumption. This means your brain stays stronger and sharper, helping you enhance your motor skills and learning capacity.
Eggs
There is a reason why eggs are considered as an eggcelent staple breakfast component almost across the globe. Eggs are loaded with choline, a B-vitamin known for its ability to accelerate reaction times and improve memory. The added benefit is that they are super easy to prepare, perfect for when you’re in a hurry every morning.
Dark chocolate
Who said healthy foods are boring? Dark chocolate can improve your performance thanks to the numerous nutrients it contains. It tends to contain just the perfect balance of sugar and caffeine to help you get through the day easily and without having to suffer from the post-caffeine jitters.
We recommend incorporating the above foods in your daily diet and you’ll start to witness healthy and drastic changes that will ultimately impact your productivity levels. A good idea would be to combine some of the ingredients above to ensure you have the ULTIMATE healthy snack.
