What we fuel our bodies with significantly impacts our productivity. Here are a few key points to remember when deciding what to eat, especially in the morning:
- Breakfast is the King of all meals — it’s the meal that starts your metabolism, brain, and body firing on all cylinders. Choose a protein meal to start your day. Don’t skip breakfast as it just sets you up to crave sugar later in the day. Starting your day off with protein either in the form of a smoothie with protein powder, eggs or nut butter will give you that consistent energy reserve.
- At 11:00 am when all your coworkers are dragging, looking for a Starbucks® coffee or a vending machine, you’re the one standing out as a productivity machine. When you start your day off with carbs and/or sugar, i.e., bread and dry cereals, you set yourself up for the 11:00/3:00 coffee/sugar craving. This happens because the carbs/sugar spike your blood sugar then it crashes, making you refill. This is a vicious cycle, leaving you tired, lethargic and very unproductive.
The same goes for lunch – choosing from the list below will help you to stay energized and on top of your game throughout the day:
Nuts and Seeds: Sunflower, Pumpkin Seeds, Walnuts, Almonds and Cashews. Healthy Fats: Avocados, Coconut Oil/Butter, Flax Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Nuts, and Seeds see above as well as Chia, Hemp, and Flax.
Berries: Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, and Strawberries.
Dark Green Leafy Veggies: Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens and Swiss Chard. Lean Proteins: Grass-fed beef, poultry, organic chicken/turkey, wild salmon, eggs, tofu, tempeh and a high quality grass-fed or plant-based protein powder.
A good breakfast is critical to a productive day. It makes your work stand out, so eat more protein, and fewer carbs and sugar… you’ll feel more alert, focused and productive at work or home.
