Avoid Skipping Meals

Possibly the worst thing you could do in terms of giving your body and brain the proper nutrients during the day is to skip meals. Hectic mornings getting yourself and your family up and out the door can result in a rough start to the day. But skipping breakfast should never be an option. 

Taking the time to eat a well-balanced and healthy meal first thing in the morning helps kickstart your brain and prepares you to take on the day. Lunch is equally important. Refueling your body throughout the day ensures you have the energy and mental capacity to stay on top of your game through close of business. 

Seek Out Sustainable Energy

Now that you are onboard with eating filling and body-fueling meals, take some extra time to evaluate what sort of fuel you are using. 

Different kinds of food are processed at different rates by our bodies. Some foods release the energy they contain quickly once eaten. Certain carbohydrates and sugary food often work in this way. White bread, pasta, cereal, and soda are a few examples of common foods that will provide a rush of glucose, and a quick burst of energy, but will also result in a crash soon after. 

For more long-term energy, seek out whole grains and foods low in sugar. You won't feel quite the rush you might get from a candy bar, but you'll be able to keep your energy levels raised for a longer period of time. 

Avoid Making Decisions When You're Hungry

This tip is particularly true when it comes to making food-based decisions. It's tough to make good meal choices when you're hungry and your brain is drained; energy levels and self-control are limited when you're running on empty. 

It's better to plan ahead and make those choices when you are fueled up and not hungry. Avoiding menu choices and grocery shopping when you're hungry will help you limit poor food choices. Fast food and junk food may seem like cheaper and easier options for lunch on a busy day, but what you save on time, you lose in productivity. 

Healthy Snacking

Snacking might seem like an unhealthy habit, but to avoid spikes and drops in your blood sugar, try grazing on healthy vegetables, fruit, and nuts throughout the day. You'll maintain a more consistent energy level and keep your brain on the fast track. 

Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also help you maintain a positive productivity level and level out your glucose, preventing that rush and crash that is so familiar during the afternoon. Almonds and protein bars are a couple good options to have on hand for healthy snacking.

Make Healthy Eating Easier

One of the most common excuses people have against eating healthy is that it isn't convenient. The solution to this problem is actually quite simple--you just need to make healthy eating a priority and adopt a few good habits.

If packing a healthy lunch will help you avoid the drive through, plan the extra time to pack one in the morning (it only takes five minutes!). Then, you can make a targeted effort to select and prepare healthier options that will sustain you throughout day. 

The path to success starts with helping yourself make healthy choices, reducing temptation, and providing the fuel you need to perform at your best. Resolve to make a better start tomorrow morning, by feeding your brain--literally!