Do you experience an afternoon slump at work (or an all-day slump)? How we eat makes a big difference in how we feel and how we perform during the day.
The biggest complaints I hear are related to fatigue, foggy thinking, poor concentration, wanting to take a nap or poor memory – especially at work. A tired mind does not function well, makes more mistakes and tends to be more irritable – Bosses, take note! It is in your best interest to have a healthy eating program that supports yourself/your employees. When you do, everyone wins.
The two most important meals of the day are the ones most neglected – breakfast and lunch. We think we can make up for it at dinner, however, that’s the opposite of what we should be doing. Our brain (and body) need essential nutrients in order to function, repair and rejuvenate. Going to work, or sending kids off to school with their gas tank mostly empty is counter-productive.
“Not enough time”, is the next response and greatest complaint. We live in such a high-paced society that finding time for the basic essentials is laborious at best! However, when running on high octane, we need to have super-nutrients, not inadequate nutrients present ongoingly throughout the day. We’re doing it all wrong. When we are stressed and too busy, we often neglect the things we need the most – exercise, hydration, good foods, good health care, and fun activities. Instead, we replace them with the quick-fix coffee, sodas, energy drinks, sugar, snack foods, fast foods, un-nourishing, quick, hand-to-mouth items that do everything except sustain us when we need it the most.
Eating well takes planning and a willingness to support your health. We all can say we want to support our health, but the action is missing. Some people complain that eating well is expensive as well as time-consumptive. Eating well need not be. The basics – vegetables, fruits, wholesome grains and meats, actually cost less than the drive-through coffee huts, eating outside of the home and the pre-processed foods. Simplicity is key. Simplicity can taste just as great, if not more so, than all the flavor-enhanced, overly sugared, shelf-stable faux foods we tend to rely on.
I find that when I’m only buying the basics, I spend less time shopping. Where time gets consumed is on the inside aisles – where all the processed junk is. I can shop twice a week if necessary, and still spend less time shopping. When buying fresh produce, it is true you have to shop more often – but not always if you plan well.
© 2011 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.
