Business People and Nutrition

Without power even a machine stops working, let alone a human body. Many of us force our bodies to work without the necessary time to recover.

It is believed that business people's nutrition is basically inadequate, which means they consume low quality foods. On regular basis, we make excuses and we believe, that the day cannot be organised to meet both work and healthy nutritional requirements. We are led to believe that those workers who don't take time to eat lunch during work hours are better, more efficient and more useful employees than those who do. If we do by chance find some chocolate, yogurt or a piece of fruit in the workplace, we are ready to conclude that it is primarily important to a worker to nibble and eat, after all.

Investing in adequate daily nutrition is an investment which produces better work results, appearance and better mood.

Numerous books have been written about nutrition of athletes and many special meals have been formulated to ensure their best performance. Just as important as sports equipment, so are the specially formulated drinks (isotonic drinks) and mini snacks, which are tailored to support the athlete's efforts and the amount of strain their bodies are exposed to.

Also considered is the input and consumption of energy, stress and dehydration, the length and intensity of efforts and strain and fighting free- radicals. Meals and meal times during the day are pre-determined, so the nutritional substances, without which the tasks cannot be professionally carried out, are eaten on regular scheduled basis. 

It is believed that, most of the time, business people simply do not take the time to eat or drink during the working day, and that lunches are meant only for celebrations or for marking a successful business result. Without energy even a machine stops working, and many of us are constantly forcing our bodies to work immaculately and creatively, with no energy input or time for proper recovery. After a long and exhausting day we are too tired to eat, or we eat sporadically and in high quantity with no feel for measure.

How to get organised?

We can assume that most business people have bad eating habits, which results in chronic fatigue, decline in immune system, obesity, difficult digestion, cardiovascular problems, blood pressure issues as well as disorders of the accumulated surplus of free radicals in the body.

However, we can help ourselves by organising our nutrition in two ways:

• Appropriate meals which can be brought to work, and
• Eating at restaurants and at canteens

It would be ideal to achieve the combination of these two models including essential breakfast before going to work, which consists of a warm drink and a low fat spread on wholemeal bread.

If a meal is prepared at home, with the intention to take to work, keep in mind two important facts;

• Store the meal in an appropriate container and use food which is not highly susceptible to rapid spoilage.
• Plan to prepare meals with less fat and lower glycemic index

Glycemic index

Soup lovers can use a range of soups, which can be prepared quickly and easily at work.

Glycemic index indicates the power to increase the level of glucose in blood (applies to foods rich with carbohydrates). The so-called bad carbohydrates have a high Glycemic index and their consumption leads to occurrence of obesity, concentration decrease, increase of appetite and tiredness during the day. So business people should avoid the following in their nutrition: white confectionery sugar (75), beer (110), cornflakes (85), white bread (75) and biscuits (70). Glycemic index value is listed in parentheses.

Preference should be given to meals with low glycemic index, which provide high-quality energy without fluctuations of blood glucose, and they are: wholemeal bread and pastry (35-40), legumes (30), green vegetables (15), tomato salad (15), fresh fruit (30) and soy (20).

The secret lies in good planning

Lunch plan:

• Pasta with tomato sauce
• Rice with mixed vegetables
• Turkey steak in wholemeal roll
• Soy steak and salad
• Salad with cooked beans
• Dairy products from skimmed milk with wholemeal bread

Generally, meals which require only a few minutes to complete are made of optimal contents, low fat and don't require lots of utensils for preparation. Only well balanced meals ensure sufficient energy needed for functioning, over a reasonable period of time.

Drinking is as important as eating

Those who understand and take responsible for their health drink water, juice or tea through the day. Going to restaurants usually results with a glass of wine, which enhances digestibility preventing cardio-vascular diseases and it refreshes and relaxes. Wine is rich in minerals and antioxidants and small amounts of wine after lunch are considered beneficial.

Of course, it is necessary to avoid strong alcoholic beverages, large amounts of wine or beer, as well as dishes that encourage flatulence and greasy foods, which take several hours to digest.

Investing in adequate daily nutrition is an investment which produces better work results, appearance and better mood. Business people's nutrition has direct impact on to their success.