The relationship between diet and business stress is one that has yet to be studied extensively says Rizwan Ahmed CPA. If you know how your diet can affect your mood, then you know why there needs to be a deeper look into the matter. Food can boost up energy levels but it can also take them down, just like caffeine does! It’s important for business people to understand what food increases or decreases energy since feeling tired at work will certainly affect work performance.
How many of us have not heard or read about what all stresses do to us?
The list is long, but it includes high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and other deadly diseases. Most important for this article are the effects that stress can cause in our everyday life including physical tiredness resulting in lack of sleep.
So if we want to be healthy how do we avoid these stresses?
Well, I could say one way is exercise, getting involved with sports or any activity that keeps you fit. But there are also other ways…
What are the Effects of Junk Food on Your Mood?
For one thing, junk food has little nutritional value whereas fresh vegetables and fruits have it in abundance. Unlike junk food which contains high amounts of saturated fats, sugars, and sodium; fresh foods contain proteins (lean meat), vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin A), minerals (iron, calcium), and dietary fiber. Since fresh foods are rich in nutrients that boost energy levels, it’s safe to say that junk food decreases energy says Rizwan Ahmed CPA.
What is a Good Diet for Increased Energy?
When people ask what a good diet is, the first thing they think of is a balanced diet. It’s almost always guaranteed that if you eat nutritional meals at least five times a day – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks – you’ll have more than enough fuel to last throughout your day. Most health experts recommend eating less processed foods so sticking with whole grains like brown rice or multi-grain bread/pasta can also help increase energy levels by giving our body sustained amounts of glucose which act as energy boosters explains Rizwan Ahmed CPA.
What about Eating Late at Night?
This is where the problem lies, especially for people who work overnight or late shifts. If you eat heavy meals right before sleeping, your body has to spend most of its time digesting food instead of resting so you’ll certainly feel more tired than if you had not eaten anything at all. According to scientists, there are reasons why it’s best to skip dinner for some people especially those whose job performance relies on them being alert throughout their shift. For one, the digestive process diverts blood flow away from the brain which will affect concentration levels and can potentially cause drowsiness. Also, fatty meals take longer to digest compared to proteins and but they contain a lot more calories. This makes your digestive system work even harder which can lead to feeling tired, sluggish and sleepy.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day so skipping it for sleep will not help anyone feel more awake. If you have a late schedule, simply try not to eat anything big at night so you’ll have enough energy during daytime hours.
How Diet Affects Mood?
Eating nutritious foods that boost energy levels has been scientifically proven to improve mood and emotional well-being too! In one study conducted by Dr. Sara Bengtsson from Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden, she found that people who were given healthy meals throughout the day had an easier time coping with stress compared to those who ate junk food. So if you are feeling depressed or have frequent mood swings, you might want to try eating clean for a change says Rizwan Ahmed CPA.
Can You Get More Energy from Junk Food?
Some people are under the impression that late-night meals comprised of burgers and fries will increase their energy levels but this is not true at all. It’s probably best to avoid fried food as much as possible because these contain tons of salt that makes you thirstier which can then lead to dehydration. Eating foods high in sugar can provide short bursts of energy but they also cause your blood glucose levels to crash, making you feel drained afterward.
Conclusion:
Eating junk food might make you feel happy for a moment but the effects will only be temporary. If you want to stay healthy and get consistent energy boosts, it’s best to stick with nutritious foods like lean meats (fish, chicken), vegetables (carrots, corn) and fruits (cantaloupe, strawberries).