When it comes to food, the main discussion is about your weight and health, with less emphasis being put on work productivity. But according to Harvard Business Review, the kind of foods we fuel our bodies largely affect our performance — more so than most people think. If you feel sluggish and have a hard time focusing on a task, blame it on your food. The ingredients found in your food once absorbed, enter your bloodstream and contribute to how you move, feel, and think. They can boost your energy, or take something away from it.
Foods that improve your brain power and make you be at your best are often times those that are fresh and organic. These foods have less fat and contain antioxidants that prevent you from getting sick. Imagine the stress of being frequently absent at work because of poor health! Without further ado, below are some of the best foods (delicious and healthy) you can add to your diet.
Avocados
Avocado is one of the best foods that increase your brain health. Some people consider avocados as fatty in a negative sense but actually, these green fruits contain monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats offer health benefits such as improvement in mood. You’ll feel more contented and less stressed. Moreover, monounsaturated fats lessen your risk for getting certain types of cancer.
If you don’t find this fruit appealing, you can try some exciting avocado recipes. You can try combining avocado with garlic, ginger and soy sauce to add some taste.
Salmon
Salmon is an excellent source of protein and a healthy food that’s low in sodium. There’s a good reason why health enthusiasts put salmon on top of their list. Promoting overall wellness, salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids which protects your brain and decreases your risk for being forgetful at work. It also keeps your bones strong. This is great if you jog on a daily basis as part of your early morning regimen before you go to work.
If you have a desk job that requires you to sit for long hours, bringing salmon to the office for lunch can also be an amazing food to reduce plaque buildup in your arteries.
Oatmeal
If you have problems with concentration at work, you might want to indulge in that morning bowl of oatmeal. Oatmeal is a great day starter which keeps you full for a longer time, although it’s not often quoted on the ‘most healthy’ list. Now, you don’t get to be distracted waiting for your lunch break at the office due to a growling stomach. And if you’ve just found out that you have high cholesterol levels, eating oatmeal on a daily basis can actually decrease your bad cholesterol or LDLTo make your oatmeal more nutritious and delicious, you can add fresh fruits, nuts, and fat-free yogurt.
Apples
One of the simplest ways to bond with your employees is to share healthy treats that give them an energy boost. Instead of bringing sugary foods loaded with calories and harmful fat, apple slices can be better alternatives. Containing flavanols, apples help protect your body cells. Mitochondria in your cells can produce the energy you need for the day for as long as you keep them healthy.
If you want to turn apples into a really exciting dessert for your team, you can instead bake an apple banana bread, or a fruit salad, or whatever you can think of — apples go with everything. Bananas themselves are also an excellent mood booster.
Start Eating Healthy Today
You need the right combination of healthy snacks to make your body function the way it should at work. Consume junk and you’ll feel grumpy and more likely to get stressed. Eat foods with healthful substances and you’ll become more productive and ready to tackle any challenge. The snacks mentioned above are among the best you can try. If you can add more to the list, feel free to comment below.