By MACROS | Published on July 10, 2017
Fight the afternoon work desk slump with these top energy-boosting and productivity- enhancing foods.
Hit the impossible deadline with green tea
You’ll need a clear and calm head to finish off that phonebook-sized stack of paper work. Green tea is the answer because research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that five cups of it lowers psychological stress by upwards of 20%. This will de-stress you enough to own that deadline with plenty of time to spare.
+ Change-up: Add a few drops of lemon juice to improve your absorption of this tea’s antioxidants.
Get a mid meeting boost with bananas
Athletes love bananas because they’re rich in the electrolyte potassium, which keeps the exercise cogs turning – a trait you can use at work. A study by Appalachian State University found bananas gave the same energy boost as a sports drink. If you flag during a meeting, have a banana to unleash that deal-sealing idea.
+ Change-up: Add banana chunks to your morning porridge because oats are a vital source of fiber and have muscle-building qualities.
Memorize figures better with strawberries
It might not be everyone’s favorite protein shake flavor, but the real thing could help you remember vital information. A naturally occurring flavonoid found in strawberries, called fisetin, stimulates signaling pathways that enhance long-term memory, according to the Salk Institute, in La Jolla, California. Start your day with the red berry to keep your memory running full steam ahead.
+ Change-up: Infuse strawberries into your water bottle to raise your IQ and burn fat fast.
– RELATED: Chocolate Beetroot Energy Balls Recipe –
Climb up with corporate ladder with celery
Improve your chances of a promotion with these green sticks. Researchers at the University of Illinois found a compound in celery fights inflammation, that plays a major role in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. Add celery to your daily salads to keep yourself in the running for that promotion.
+ Change-up: Dip celery sticks into guacamole because it’s rich in ‘good’ fats and protein you can store as energy during the day.
Adjust your mood after a bad day with vanilla yogurt
Mistakes are part of every job, but so are the repercussions that can put you on a downer. Research by Elsevier found that vanilla yogurt made people feel happy and gave subjects with lower fat content a stronger positive emotional reaction. A subtle vanilla scent in places like hospital waiting rooms can lower aggression. Use it to calm yourself back to productivity.
+ Change-up: Pepper your yogurt with mixed nuts and seeds to feel fuller for longer.
Own your work presentations with almonds
If you need a mental boost before a big presentation, gobble a handful of these nuts, which are rich in magnesium, B vitamins and protein. According to the USDA food database, almonds have 386mg of energy-boosting magnesium per cup (143g). Get your mini magnesium fix every morning and stay alert throughout the big presentation.
+ Change-up: Add a cup full of almonds to 100g of Greek yogurt for an energy and protein fix.
