12 Healthy Foods that Boost Productivity

What foods can help to boost productivity?

1. Blueberries
2. Bananas
3. Eggs
4. Fatty fish
5. Eggplant
6. Yogurt
7. Dark chocolate
8. Green tea
9. Nuts
10. Avocados
11. Water
12. Brown rice

Meetings can be dull and repetitive and presenters are sure to agree with that nothing is more horrible than a passive audience. Sure, there are a lot of factors to consider in commanding and keeping the attention of your audience, such as subject interest and delivery, but this is where strategic corporate catering comes into play.

It is fun and easy (and highly encouraged) to go for our catering services because we can suggest some of the best food choices. But it’s also good to know which types of ingredients are best for the employees. Certain kinds of food have been proven to increase productivity and alertness in the human mind and having these in any meeting is sure to revitalize your employees and strengthen their immune system!

In this blog post, we will introduce and briefly discuss the types of food that boost productivity and concentration.

Blueberries

Research shows that blueberries boost “concentration and memory” for up to five hours “because the antioxidants in blueberries stimulate the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain – and keep the mind fresh”. Blueberries are affordable and delicious and best of all, they’re healthy.

Bananas

Bananas are rich in vitamins and minerals and specifically, glucose. According to researcher Leigh Gibson of Roehampton University in England, “The brain works best with about 25 grams of glucose circulating in the blood stream — about the amount found in a banana.” Bananas offer a quick energy boost and they’re scrumptious to boot.

Eggs

A staple of breakfast, eggs offer a delicious meal that can be prepared in any number of ways from a quick and easy sunny side-up to the elegant and delicious omelets to the healthier on-the-go boiled. According to Vivian Giang and Aimee Groth of Business Insider, “Eggs contain fat-like B vitamin called choline that enhances memory and reaction time.”

Fatty Fish

Most fatty fish are rich in omega-3s, iron, B-Vitamins and protein which support focus, memory, reasoning and recall. (Byrd) Salmon, Mackarel, Herring, Sardines and Tuna are just a few fatty fish that contain these benefits.

Eggplant

Another egg-type entry in the list, “Eggplant skin contains a nutrient called nasunin which keeps our brain sharp by enhancing communication between our brain cells and messenger molecules. “

Yogurt

Delicious and a component of many delicious meals and sauces, “calcium rich foods such as yogurt, milk and cheese improve nerve function. Yogurt contains an amino acid called tyrosine which is responsible for producing the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline.” To summarize all that, yoghurt improves memory and alertness. Delicious and versatile, yogurt is healthy and easy to find and is a perfect addition to any corporate event.

Dark Chocolate

Not only does dark chocolate boost the production of “feel-good” chems called endorphins, they also reproduce the feeling of “euphoria” people get from exercising. According to an editorial by CNN, “preliminary research at West Virginia’s Wheeling Jesuit University suggests chocolate may boost your memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem-solving skills by increasing blood-flow to the brain.” 

Green Tea

This drink is a natural energy enhancer. Since it isn’t made from energy-fabricating ingredients, it also doesn’t have any of the side effects of usual energy boosters. This makes it popular amongst health buffs who work long hours while still squeezing in a workout at the end of the day. Their green tea of choice is matcha which has been gaining mainstream popularity over recent years – most especially in New York City. Unlike other green teas, matcha actually uses a whole green tea leaf that is ground into fine powder. By being able to ingest the whole leaf, a whole family of antioxidants, fiber, and polyphenols will be introduced to the human body.

Nuts

Nuts are healthy for a number of reasons. For one, it’s a great source of protein and natural fat, which are healthy for the human body. Additionally, it’s a rich food that is high in antioxidants, vitamin E, and amino acids. These are the nutrients that the body needs in order increase memory and brain power.

For the best nuts to consume, grab some walnuts and almonds. These have the best ingredients for boosting brain health and productivity.

Avocados

In order for one to be productive, the flow blood through the brain and around the heart must be smooth and consistent. To ensure that you have this consistent flow in your body, eat some Avocados. This fruit is a natural stimulant that enhances the flow of blood and provides healthy fats. Not only will it get the brain cells working at their best, but it’s also very tasty. Who said that healthy foods need to taste bad?

Water

While it may not be a food, it must be added to this list because of how essential it is for productivity. Basically, the whole body will function well if it has enough water in it. It uses it to do its daily functions, which means that it depletes throughout the day. When the water levels in your body get too low, then your brain and the rest of your body won’t perform at its best.

To make sure that you always have enough water in your body, have at least 8 glasses of water a day. This will keep your brain powered up, focused, and thinking quickly and clearly.

Brown Rice

The healthiest ingredient in brown rice is magnesium. With an ample amount of this in your body, not only will you be more productive, but you will also be more relaxed. This is because it has been shown to be able to relieve stress. Also, it is loaded with the vitamins that you need for your body to work at its best. Because of this, the cognitive functions will also be boosted which guarantees boosted productivity.

Key Takeaway

We can all agree that food in any setting is good but having healthy and delicious food prepared and served by passionate people is as close as you can get to perfect.  

Works Cited

Byrd, M. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2016, 22, from Omega 3 Fish Oil Benefits: http://www.omega-3.us/omega-3/omega-3-benefits

Derbyshire, D. (2009, September 14). Retrieved February 22, 2016, from DailyMailUk: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1212579/A-bowl-blueberries-day-keeps-brain-active-afternoon.html

Giang, V., & Groth, A. (2013, May 30). Retrieved February 22, 2016, from BusinessInsider: http://www.businessinsider.com/foods-you-should-eat-to-increase-productivity-2013-5?op=1

Ingall, M. (2006, December 22). Health. Retrieved February 22, 2016, from CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/12/20/health.chocolate/

Left of Zen. (2008, January 4). Left of Zen. Retrieved February 22, 2016, from http://leftofzen.com/brain-food/2008/01/04/

LiveScience. (2009, January 7). Retrieved February 22, 2016, from LiveScience: http://www.livescience.com/3186-brain-food-eat-smart.html