For example, foods with a high sugar content can leave you feeling sluggish, anxious and miserable, while certain “brain foods” are packed with nutrients that aid the repair of brain cells and leave you feeling positive, productive and ready to take on the day. Incorporating a good mix of nutritional foods into your diet will give your brain the positive boost it needs to keep you motivated at work.
We’ve listed some of our favourite foods and drinks that are known to improve work motivation, productivity and general health, plus some easy ways to include them in your daily diet:
It’s a well-known fact that caffeine increases our alertness and concentration and is by far our favourite (and most relied-on) way to start the working day. We were interested to discover a study which found that coffee consumption can help to improve relationships with our co-workers… results found that workers who consumed coffee had a more positive view of themselves and others than those who did not. A positive correlation between coffee consumption and enhanced participation in workplace activities was also noticed.
How do you like your eggs? We like ours every day for either breakfast or lunch. The humble egg (preferably boiled or poached) is packed with vitamins (A, B5, B12, B2) and protein which can help with weight loss, increasing muscle mass, lowering blood pressure and optimising bone health. Incorporating eggs into your meals will keep you fuller for longer so there won’t be any distracting noises coming from hungry tummies.
Dark chocolate is high in fibre, iron, magnesium, and manganese. It helps to improve blood flow, reduce blood pressure and improve brain function. It’s 4pm, you’re drowning in work and you’ve hit a wall that only a sweet treat will save you from… reach for a bar of dark chocolate to get your sugar fix and keep going.
Turmeric is known for its powerful medicinal properties dating back to ancient India. Curcumin, the active compound within Turmeric, is a natural anti-inflammatory that also increases the antioxidant capacity of our bodies. This is a great one for productivity at work because it will save you from getting sick and needing time off. It can also work as an anti-depressant – so say goodbye to the Monday blues! We would recommend taking it in capsules to ensure you get the right amount of Curcumin, as you would have to eat a lot of Turmeric to gain these benefits and who has time for that, right?
These blue wonders are packed with antioxidants such as anthocyanins which reduces oxidative stress and decreases your brain’s ageing process. These powerful little berries are low in calories but high in nutrients; they hold the highest antioxidant levels within all common fruits and vegetables – well worth the superfood label! Pop them in a smoothie, on top of your porridge or just gobble them down on their own as a sweet snack.
Or, as we like to call them: super snacks. Pumpkin seeds are packed full of valuable nutrients such as tryptophan, known for helping to improve our quality of sleep – which, as we all know, relates to how productive we are at work the next day. These tasty little seeds can easily be eaten as a snack or added to smoothies and salads for a fibre crunch.
Walnuts, the indisputable champion of nuts. They look like a brain and they’re good for your brain. High in omega 3 fats, antioxidants and phytosterols, this superfood is good for our heart and brain, reducing depression and the risk of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Why not swap your usual afternoon snacks for a handful of walnuts?
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