#8: Better eating for better work
3 ways to optimize eating to have more energy at work
Using your energy efficiently supports working joyfully.
It’s challenging to work with joy when (1) you’re feeling tired or (2) jittery from drinking too much coffee.
That’s why it’s essential to reduce energy usage to avoid feeling tired during the day. And a minimum effective dose to optimize for more energy is in how and what you eat.
There are three ways to do this.
👉 Way #1: Drink your solids
Eat in a hurry, and everything else after your mouth will have to pick up the slack.
Drinking your solids refers to taking the time to chew your food. Chewing produces saliva, which helps break down the food. When you don’t chew enough, aside from the food being less processed when it lands in your stomach, your stomach also has to produce more enzymes to process the food.
So eating in a hurry is energy inefficient for your body.
One tip for pacing yourself when you eat is to eat mindfully.
You can do this by focusing on the food, where it comes from, how it smells, and how it tastes. You can also try putting the fork or spoon down until you’re ready for the next bite. This tactic will help you stop feeding yourself more food while still chewing the previous bite.
Eat peacefully.
👉 Way #2: Eat less food
Do you need to eat that much?
Listen to your body. If you’re feeling satisfied, save the rest for later. If you’re serving yourself, practice reducing your portion over time. It helps to eat nutritious food, as it will leave you satisfied for longer—and eliminate the need to snack.
Less food = less digestion
👉 Way #3: Eat lighter
Not all food is equal.
The heavier the food, the longer it will stay in your body. Also, it’s good for your immune system to let your stomach rest. That’s why fasts are so popular these days, beyond religious traditions.
Here’s how long it takes for each type of food to get through the body.
Cooked meat: 50-52 hours
Cooked vegetables: 24-30 hours
Raw vegetables: 12-15 hours
Fruit: 1.5-3 hours
Source: A plant-based diet and its benefits
Leverage this info to customize a balanced diet that doesn’t leave you exhausted.
Now take this post with a grain of salt and experiment.
That’s the only way you’ll find what works for you. But feeling fatigued through the day will make it harder to be joyful no matter what you’re doing. Also, remember to exercise daily; that would be the next one on my list.