Solutions for a Healthy Career
In recognition of National Nutrition Month, Qforma’s “resident nutritionist”, Joann Flynn, MS, CNS, CNC, is sharing dietary tips to increase your competitive advantage in today’s challenging business environment.
Traditional wisdom touts “a calorie is a calorie.” Think again. What you’re eating and drinking in and out of the office can impact your job performance. Here’s some career advice that will really affect the bottom line, your health.
Sugar: Power Drainer
Sugar is similar to that employee who demonstrates enthusiasm at the start of a new project, but consistently “fizzles out” before the end. You’d probably terminate that employee, so get rid of those sugary snacks and meals, too. Sugar, in all forms including fruit juice, enriched white flour and high fructose corn syrup can initially give your body and brain a short-term power boost. But, only a few hours later, your blood sugar will drop dramatically making you feel drained. This translates to increased sugar and caffeine cravings, fatigue, lethargic thinking, irritability, and headaches. Long-term high sugar intake has been shown to contribute to obesity, decreased immunity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Since your goal is to perform at peak condition against your competition, dump that soda, bread, pasta, and candy bar and opt for lean protein and complex carbohydrates, such as poultry, fish, nuts, beans, and green leafy veggies.
Fats: Executive Essentials
What about all this talk about fats—rightsizing, downsizing, good fats and bad fats? Shed your fear of fats by getting the facts on Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), also known as omega-3s, omega-6s, and omega-9s. It’s true; too much saturated fat and trans (hydrogenated) fat are unhealthy, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid fats altogether. EFAs can increase energy, reduce food cravings, and support the brain and nervous system not to mention they may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Salmon, flaxseed, nuts, olive oil, and eggs are all good dietary sources of EFAs. Rethink your relationship with fats and make EFAs a part of your health network.
Water: Are You Feeling Washed Up?
You’ve heard it over and over again drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Some believe the primary objective of gulping that designer water is to suppress appetite, but water plays many more roles and is a great multi-tasker. For example, water supports kidney and liver function and also assists in the transformation of stored body fat to energy. Dehydration can produce the undesirable results of fatigue, confusion, constipation, and fluid retention. In short, your brain and body cannot operate at optimum levels without sufficient amounts of water. Solution: To maximize performance, drink plenty of pure water instead of soda, coffee, and juice.
Caffeine: A Losing Strategy
Are you addicted to coffee, soda, or chocolate? The caffeine cycle can be especially taxing on your brain and body. When caffeine hits the bloodstream, it triggers the body to release stored sugar. This signals the release of hormones, which cause blood sugar to drastically drop, resulting in the rebound effects of exhaustion, mental lethargy, and even migraines. Other side effects of too much caffeine include anxiety, insomnia, increased blood pressure, indigestion, and heartburn.
Recommendation: Implement a change-management strategy. Gradually withdraw from caffeine by cutting your intake in half the first week and in half, again, each subsequent week. Your goal is to consume no more than 2 caffeinated beverages and/or foods per day. Break the caffeine cycle by choosing to drink green tea, decaf coffee, or better yet, water.
Once upon a time, it was enough for professionals to work hard and make sound business decisions to achieve career success. In today’s highly-aggressive, fast-paced business environment, that’s no longer enough. Add one more “tool to your bag.” Select foods and beverages strategically, and sharpen your competitive edge.
[Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to be medical advice. It is general health information and does not take into account your particular health status nor is it a substitute for medical care.]
