If you’re looking for all natural foods that can boost productivity and make you more effective in business, look no further. The old saying “you are what you eat” is so true — garbage in garbage out. To be successful in business and life, we all need to be mindful of our enemy the clock and the quality and consistency of what we complete each minute that ticks by.
The following 7 healthy foods contain the nutrition your brain needs to turn you into the best version of you possible.
1. Fatty Fish and Crustaceans
Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) are proven to feed our brains and increase mental performance. It also boosts memory and focus, and may improve the symptoms of depression — Ie., the productivity killer! Fatty fish like salmon, trout, sardines and herring, and crustaceans like oysters and muscles are great for productivity. Krill oil is also packed with omega-3s and is considered the most bio-available version of any fish oil supplement.
2. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains 12mg of caffeine per ounce serving. It also has magnesium for relaxation and focus, iron for healthy red blood cells (oxygen) and is loaded with antioxidants to keep your brain running hard into the evening. The darker the better, too! Look for 70% or higher cacao content on the package. I will say that going above 90% isn’t all that pleasant (think Baker’s chocolate), but you’ll also enjoy the lowest amount of added sugar and highest fiber content.
3. Avocados
Don’t be disillusioned about all the “avocados are loaded with fat” dogma online. Avocados are really healthy for you, and natural fat sources actually feed your brain and body, making you more productive. This fruit, which tastes nothing like a fruit and has zero usable sugar (sugar causes insulin to be released and makes you tired later in the day). A single fruit offers 17g of fiber, 33% RDA of vitamin C, 25% RDA of vitamin B6 for memory, and a healthy dose of magnesium to increase blood flow to the brain.
4. Eggs
Eggs are a superfood for the brain and body. They’re low in calories and high in healthy fat and cholesterol, which the brain loves. Eggs are one of the few natural foods that contain bioavailable vitamin D (21% RDA per egg). Vitamin D is responsible for keeping our brain and body happy and healthy. Lack of vitamin D is the reason why so many people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the winter time — lack of this vitamin literally sends us into hibernation like a grizzly bear! Eggs also contain the B vitamin, choline, which activates the neurotransmitters in our brains.
5. Berries
Berries are loaded with antioxidants, which limit oxidation in the brain and body. Oxidation from the free radicals we eat, drink, and breathe every day literally make you dumber, more tired (tired-er?), and lead to a host of productivity-killing diseases like heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and dementia. For the most benefit, look for dark-colored berries like blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, goji berry, and fresh cranberry.
6. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens fall into the same category as many other foods on this list. Just a few cups of spinach, chard, kale, or virtually any leafy green you can dream up, gives your brain loads of nutrition to boost productivity. The aforementioned serving offers up heaping servings of the brain boosting nutrients I’ve been talking about, and are also loaded with antioxidants. Dark greens are particularly helpful in preventing eye disease.
3 cups of green provides:
- Vitamin C: 50% RDA
- Magnesium: 19% RDA
- Iron: 15% RDA
- Vitamin B6: 10% RDA
7. Green Tea
Green tea leaves aren’t terribly palatable when eaten, but make a delicious tea. Green tea, like many other kinds of tea, are loaded with antioxidants to keep our brain and heart healthy. Oxidation of fat and cholesterol in the arteries hamper blood flow and gets in the way of signalling between the brain and body. Green tea also contains compounds called catechins which have numerous benefits to the brain and thus, boost productivity considerably when consumed on a regular basis.
What do you eat to boost productivity?
Leave a comment and let everyone know.
