Are you eating right? Your productivity will tell you

“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” – Ann Wigmore, nutritionist and health practitioner

In the quest to achieve more and grow well in life, personal health and diet takes a backseat for most of the young working professionals like us. Whether staying away from home or living with family, we often tend to overlook our eating habits, which can later prove to be harmful for us. Skipping breakfasts, having working lunches, eating at odd hours, consuming more junk food – these are some of the common practices among working people like us.

But did you know poor dietary habits could have a far-reaching effect on your productivity? Poor nutrition can result in decreased energy levels, constant fatigue and drowsiness, increased irritation and stress, lower mental sharpness and clarity, poor concentration levels and reduced ability to work effectively.

Sounds scary, right? Fret not. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to bring a positive change to your diet and improve your health with these tips:

Do not skip your breakfast

Breakfast is the first and most important meal of the day and you must ensure that you do not skip it. Instead of rushing into breakfast and eating unhealthy junk food like a burger, have fresh fruits and vegetable smoothies. Whole wheat bread sandwiches, upma, poha, idli, eggs, nuts and low-fat dairy products are also excellent foods to start the day with.

Eat small portions of food at planned intervals

A heavy lunch could induce drowsiness and affect your energy levels at work. The best way to avoid this situation is to consume small and healthy portions of salad, pulses, hummus, lean meats and fruits for lunch.

Avoid junk food

To satisfy your mid-meals hunger pangs, you can pack almonds, walnuts, granola bars or an apple. Resist the temptations for junk food like fries, samosa and cookies since these act as slow poisons for your productivity levels.

Monitor your caffeine intake

Workload and office stress often cause us to find some relief in huge cups of tea and coffee to get sugar rush. Though it gives you the instant energy to work, the enthusiasm dies down as sugar levels drop drastically. Limit your caffeine intake to one or two cups a day. Alternatively, opt for green tea, which is not only loaded with healthy goodness but is also your safest bet.

Drink plenty of water

Amidst all these little soldiers is the king of all dietary plans – water. Nothing, absolutely nothing, works wonders for your body than water does. A dehydrated body and mind do not function properly, hence it’s important to drink at least 3-4 litres of water every day.

Avoid alcohol before going to sleep

Alcohol messes up your metabolism, dehydrates the body and causes insufficient sleep, which further leads to irritability and lower productivity levels.

People often mistake weight management as the sole reason for consuming healthy foods. But the truth is proper dietary habits provide the right nourishment to the brain and improve overall productivity levels. If you have been eating unhealthily, think and carefully and plan your diet chart right away. Better late than never!