When the slump hits
You’re in a late afternoon meeting, and it isn’t going well. You’re asking your team for new ideas and getting nothing but awkward silences. You start a sentence, lose your train of thought, and trail off into ums. People are distracted, irritable, and nodding off.
What’s going on? Has your team lost inspiration?
No, they’re just hungry.
Food for thought
Our brains perform so many intangible functions – like producing thoughts and enabling us to use language – that we often forget that it’s an organ that needs nutrients and energy just like all of our other body parts.
Why not keep your team thinking clearly by keeping your break room stocked with snacks? And not your run-of-the-mill granola bars – feature foods that actually help improve brain function. Your team will be more alert, productive, and creative. The following foods are not only tasty, but will help your noggin function at its best.
Berries
Berries, especially blueberries, help curb short term memory loss.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, which protects you from brain-damaging antioxidants. Throw in some vitamin K-rich broccoli and call it a vegetable platter.
Chocolate (really)
Dark chocolate and raw cacao nibs increase blood flow to the brain and enhance cognitive function. Providing chocolate treats is likely to make you very popular around the office. Bonus!
Avocado
The healthy fats in avocados lube up the nerves in your brain that carry information to and fro. Guacamole anyone?
Nuts
Your older employees will benefit from a handful of nuts, which have been shown to prevent cognitive decline in the senior set.
Green tea
Sure, coffee is good for a pick me up, but why not serve green tea alongside? Green tea has been shown to increase communication between different parts of the brain and improve memory.
Keep their cogs turning
Don’t let a grumbly stomach and a tired brain keep you from having a successful workday. Simple snacks will help keep your team sharp.
#BrainFoods
Ellen Vessels, a Staff Writer at The American Genius, is respected for their wide range of work, with a focus on generational marketing and business trends. Ellen is also a performance artist when not writing, and has a passion for sustainability, social justice, and the arts.
Judy Thompson
March 22, 2016 at 3:52 am
The other food that boosts brains productivity is pumpkin seed. It is fully packed with healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. Pumpkin seeds also contain zinc that helps boost memory and improve brain function.
Lani Rosales
March 23, 2016 at 10:52 am
Oooh, good one – we love pumpkin seeds up in here! Thank you, bulk aisle!!
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