Binging on carbs at the office is one of the worst things you can do
Diet affects your mood. A big sandwich makes you feel lethargic. A simple green salad leaves you ravenous.
The body processes foods in ways that affect our energy, brainpower, and mood differently. Falling asleep during your afternoon meeting? Crashing hard?
Refined carbs and sugar are the culprits. The roller coaster of blood sugar highs and lows coupled with caffeine can significantly impact your mood and make you irritable. Not a good demeanor for the office!
Fats are good (especially “good fats”)!
Fortunately, there’s a solution. One that will improve your focus at work. And boost your endurance. It’s diet-related with one nutrient incorporated wisely: fat.
Yes. Fat.
Listen, fat doesn’t make you fat. Fat can increase your happiness, sustain longer hours of feeling satiated, regulate hormones, improve metabolism, and boost your immune system.
“Good fats” are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce the risk of heart disease, depression, dementia and arthritis and in foods such as salmon, avocado, walnuts and olive oil, to name a few. No longer is guacamole an indulgence or walnuts on your salad a splurge. Doses of saturated fat can also be beneficial.
Benefits of eating fatty foods at work
Here are five beneficial reasons to eat fat at work:
1. Longer Satiation
How many times are you hungry a couple hours after you eat? Does it often happen at 11am and 3pm — a few hours after breakfast or lunch? Do you find that you go for that quick energy fix of a sugary mix or maybe pretzels in an effort to be “healthy”? The next time, evaluate if you’ve had any “fat” in your breakfast or lunch. Cravings decrease when fat and fiber are eaten together. Fiber keeps the blood sugar level and fat keeps you satiated – complete. With more fat and fiber in your diet, you’ll have the energy to complete that data analysis or muscle through that two-hour afternoon meeting.
2. Better Taste
Fat tastes good on the tongue. Some love it. Some hate it. Just be wary of the fat, sugar combination. Having a healthy, tasty item can help you curve your cravings and ensure you won’t overindulge later.
3. Absorb Nutrients
Fat soluble vitamins require fat. Vitamins A, D, E, and K need it for absorption in the body. Taking a Vitamin D supplement and eating more greens for Vitamin K is pointless unless you incorporate some fat into your diet to aid absorbing them.
4. More Energy
Because fat has more calories, it provides more energy. Yes, your body will turn too many UN-USED calories into fat. Not all calories are created equal and your body will use the calories it needs for building muscle, regulating hormones and replenishing energy. Knowing this and given a choice, which of the following will provide you with long-lasting energy: pretzels, half an avocado with nuts or a cookie?
5. Boost Brain Power
Your brain consists of 60% fat. It’s necessary for cognitive development, cellular function, and it serves as a mood enhancer in the form of serotonin. Phrases such as “fat and happy” didn’t originate from nothing. Eat fat to improve your mood. For that next afternoon meeting, supply some sliced avocados, nuts, dark chocolate versus bagels and chips. Or bring some hummus and guacamole dip with veggies or some lentil/quinoa-based chips. Be adventurous with these avocado brownies for a decadent, but low-sugar, vegan and gluten-free snack.
Eat more fat, but practice moderation
Don’t go hog wild on those fats. Just don’t fear them. It’s not about an easy, one-fix answer. It’s about an adaptable combination of all the parts your body needs.
Do you think fat could boost your work mood? Happiness doesn’t mean bribing your employees with Dunkin. It means providing employees with space and support to indulge. Happy employees are less cranky, motivated, and engaged. What could be more important than that?