The Connection Between Nutrition and Productivity

It seems cliché to start this blog by reminding you that “you are what you eat.” But there’s real science behind this mantra, and a good reason why people say it so often – because it’s true.   

Our bodies use the food that we eat as fuel for energy. Our nutritional intake provides energy for our brains and our bodies, and that energy is essential for us to think, move, and perform. And that’s important for people no matter what type of job or career they have. From athletes and laborers to executives who sit in a boardroom, nutrition plays a role in how successful they are in performing tasks every day.   

Making a career change, operating in an executive position, or serving others in a helping profession (I see you, mental health therapists, teachers, nurses, and caregivers!) is challenging enough. Don’t make it harder by forgetting to eat right! 

A Link Between Nutrition and Productivity  

When we were little, our parents taught us that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And they weren’t wrong. Sending a child to school with no fuel in their system and then expecting them to retain information and learn is like trying to drive a car with no gas in it. You’re not going to get far.   

And it’s not just the amount of food that we eat, but the quality of our nutritional intake as well. A recent study published in Perspectives on Health found that when workers make healthier nutritional choices and develop healthier eating habits, they experience a 2% boost in productivity.   

And on the flip side, studies have shown that poor nutritional choices contribute to increased fatigue, lowered mental sharpness, and reduced performance at work. An unhealthy diet also results in higher levels of stress and depression.   

Better Food Choices Mean Better Performance  

A study published in 2012 that surveyed almost 20,000 employees across three different organizations found a direct correlation between unhealthy choices and lowered productivity at work.   

And more to the point, the study found employees who ate an unhealthy diet were 66% more likely to experience a drop in productivity than those who ate a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Other factors that resulted in a loss of productivity were a lack of exercise and smoking.   

Even more shocking, the study found that employees who struggled to exercise during their workday were 96% more likely to experience decreased productivity. Employees who worked in environments where they did not feel supported through wellness programs were more likely to be unproductive.   

Productivity Boosting Foods  

Many people find that sticking to a diet is challenging. But here’s the good news. Building healthy eating habits doesn’t have to feel like a diet. It’s more about making better choices throughout the day. Consuming foods that boost energy and brain function and avoiding those foods that have the opposite effect will go a long way toward making you feel better.   

Here are some of our best tips for eating a productivity-boosting diet:

Lower Your Carbohydrate Intake – Not all carbs are bad, but because carbs break down into sugar in the body, they lead to the production of insulin. Insulin levels have been shown to have a negative effect on energy.  

Regulate Blood Sugar - Carbohydrates raise blood sugar, and we’ve just explained why that’s bad. But another situation to avoid is low blood sugar. When your blood sugar drops, your energy drops along with it. Not only that, but low blood sugar can lead to making unhealthy food choices.   

Plan Your Meals Around Your Schedule - Eating larger meals in the morning gives your body the energy it needs to make it through the day. But a large meal before bed can hamper your body’s ability to get sleep, which results in a detrimental cycle where you’re constantly chasing that energy you need.   

The Conclusion  

What can busy executives take from this knowledge? Basically, eating a healthy diet and working to build healthy lifestyle habits has a direct correlation with your ability to be productive and successful at work. And finding ways to support your employees and staff with the same goals will help everyone feel better and perform better in the long run.   

Those seeking a career transition or seeking a completely new career should remember that food can help you maintain your energy and take on the challenges that come with career changes.