Avoid the afternoon slump with energy boosting lunches, ladies!
You know the drill.
You sleep in because of the late meeting the night before (er, dancing with your girlfriends).
Since you didn’t work out (see the line above), you figured there’s no need for the protein drink so grab a coffee from Starbucks on your drive in instead.
As your stomach begins to grumble and growl on your way to the 10 a.m. meeting and you’re grateful when your boss shows up with bakery muffins in hand (they are even gluten free!)
You’re so tired that productivity isn’t happening and you’re determined to turn that around.
So you skip lunch. Or grab an apple. And more coffee.
By 3pm you’re falling asleep and attempt a jog to the water cooler, urging those endorphins to kick in, pleading with adrenaline to wake you up and breathe a sigh of relief when you see your BWB (Best Work Buddy) dropped a dark chocolate bar on your desk while you were out (for a jog).
What happens next is why Sumo wrestlers are so successful.
And huge.
You get home after a long day of work where you got nothing accomplished, you open the fridge and invite yourself to your version of the Old Country Buffet.
And tomorrow you make better choices to make up for today until your friends call you to join them for drinks or a late night movie again…
This isn’t to make you wrong about the choices you’re making.
And I’m not just talking about YOU. I can say this because it’s a life I lived to a certain degree, and I think it’s one every woman dabbles in-for a little while anyway.
Let me share with you how I avoid the afternoon slump with the right kind of foods.
Components of an Energy Boosting Lunch:
1. Healthy Fat
This could look like nuts, nut butters, seeds, mayonnaise, avocado, full fat coconut milk, olive-coconut-or grape seed oil.
2. Protein
We don’t usually think of eggs as a lunch item, but boiled on a salad or a piece of quiche is a fantastic option here. Nitrate free deli meats are another easy way to go. A current favorite of mine is a turkey wrapped pickle-or four. Re-heat last night’s dinner of grilled shrimp kebabs or steak fajitas. Chicken soup is another great choice for getting in some protein.
3. Carbohydrates
What makes us so tired is the wrong source of carbs. When we think of carbs we think of bread and pasta. But when I think of carbs I think of a rainbow of color. Our plates should be colorful when we look at them (not the paint, the food itself). We want to a void the browns and creams of a carb filled plate of half a bagel with peanut butter and a bit of pasta salad. Instead we want fruits and vegetables, with a heavy emphasis on the veggies.
Don’t forget to take a walk on the wild side with those veggies-we seem to stay in the safety zone of carrots, celery and perhaps cucumbers. Roast a pan of colored veggies: beets, potatoes, red/yellow/orange/green bell peppers, green onions, and cut carrots with some olive oil, herbs and garlic and you’ve got something you can scoop into and add to your lunch every day for nearly a week.
With the above combination you’ll meet your needs nutritionally, give your brain the boost it needs and keep your blood sugar steady, which will allow you to be productive, alert and full of energy. It’s in this space where time and opportunity magically appear for you feel so great and being you feels effortless.
So tell me ladies, what are you putting in your lunch tomorrow?
Nichi
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