Pack Some Energy into Your Lunch

You would be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t experienced the afternoon fatigue at work after lunch.  We tend to blame it on everything around us except the thing that makes the most sense – the food in our lunch!  I have heard the sleepy blame game for years now, and it includes pointing fingers at the weather, meetings, not having enough coffee, and the list goes on and on.  The food we eat can make or break us for the duration of our day, and let’s face it, we need to be energetic, alert and thinking properly. 

There are many nutrients that we need on a daily basis to keep our bodies running efficiently ona a daily basis, not to mention long-term.  Needless to say, most average adults do not get all of the nutrients they need and eat a healthy and well-balanced diet regularly.  I have compiled a few basic food categories to keep in mind when packing your lunch or deciding what to order when you step out of the office to grab a bite.

Protein is known to keep you satisfied for longer periods of time.  Fish, in particular, has long been associated with being an excellent brain boosting food.  Fish are rich in omega 3 fatty acides, which are necessary in the process of function and development for the brain.

A small handful of nuts as a mid morning or afternoon snack could also prove to be helpful.  The antioxident, vitamin E, is found in nuts and seeds as well and has been associated with avoiding more cognitive decline later in life.  A bonus in this is that dark choclate also has antioxident properties as well as a little caffeine, so it is actually a good thing to have an occasional piece of dark choclate to maintain focus and concentration!

A big part of the working mind is blood flow, and ultimately, most organs in the body also rely on the blood flow.  You can reduce the liklihood of cardiovascular disease and increase blood flow by eating whole grains and fruits like the avocado.  The whole grains also contain dietary fiber and vitamin E. 

Studies continue to show the positive influence of blueberries in our lives.  Not only do they have antioxident properties, but protect the brain from oxidative stress.  Learning capacity increased when studies were done on animals with a diet rich in blueberries. 

Your ability to concentrate can really suffer when your diet lacks some of the necessary and essential nutrients.  Now, don’t lose sight of the fact that eating too much or too little can also take away from your ability to focus.  Think about adding healthy and wholesome foods to your diet and notice how much better you feel as well as the mental focus and concentration to get you through your work day efficiently.

Sarah Present

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