Our brain never rests.
Just like the heart and other vital organs of the body.

But if the brain stops working, so would those other body parts and therefore you!

When at work, most likely the brain is in an overdrive mode.
Problem solving, creating, trouble shooting, managing, multitasking, organizing, memorizing, writing, calculating…the list is endless.

So in order to function at its best, it is critical to understand how to take care of the brain and how to nourish it!

To function well, the brain requires certain nutrients like: sugar (glucose), vitamins & minerals and other essential chemicals.

Main mental fuel is glucose that can be found in carbohydrates. All carbohydrates whether its bread, pasta, rice or doughnuts convert to sugar in the body.

But not all carbs are created equal. The processed, refined sources of carbohydrates cause an instant rise in blood sugar levels, followed by an immediate crash! That is why you may be on a high energy/ low energy roller coaster. I wrote about this in a separate blog, which you can read here.

Secondly, the brain produces essential proteins and fatty acids to grow and maintain connections between the neurons and to add myelin (the fatty sheath) to axons. So it is important to consume high quality (preferably organic) leans proteins like fish, chicken or vegetable sources like beans and legumes.

Vitamins & minerals are essential to the body but are not manufactured by the body so they must be consumed within our daily diet. These come from eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. Think rainbow colors!

Proteins, vitamins and minerals are what help you focus better at work and increase productivity. Carbs give you the energy to carry through the day with efficiency.

Stress depletes anti-oxidants from our body, leading to aging and sickness. So it’s important to fuel with anti-oxidants rich foods like acai and other berries, citrus fruits, chia seeds, spirulina and chlorella, green tea, avocadoes etc.

Some advanced planning and being prepared for eating at workplace is essential. Set aside some time on the weekend to plan snacks/ meals for work and shop for them. That way you avoid the temptation of going to the vending machine or the corner coffee shop and eat unhealthy foods that make you sluggish.

Here are some workplace snack ideas.

 Nuts and Seeds- Cashews/ Almonds/ Walnuts/ Sunflower seeds, Pumpkin seeds
 Veggies and dips like hummus, red pepper dip and artichoke dip.
You can try this pumpkin hummus recipe for a twist to the old fashioned hummus.
 Fruit and nut butters like peanut/ almond/ cashew butter
 Greek yogurt with berries or apple sauce
 Hard boiled eggs
 Avocados
 Raisins and dried fruit
 Smoothies
 Grapes, berries, oranges, bananas
 Whole grain crackers and cheese

Lastly, remember to hydrate yourself every hour or so. Whether you are sitting in a room with an AC all day or working out in the field; we all get dehydrated.

Plain old water is the best choice. But you can also moderately enjoy herbal teas, coconut water, fresh juices or smoothies.

Looking for more ideas to eat better at work?

Download my Free Workplace Guide to Healthy ‘Desk-Dining’!

If you’d like go a step further and turn around your eating habits, just click here to schedule your complimentary phone in discovery session with me.

I always love to hear from you, so do leave me a comment!

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