5 surprising foods for stamina at the office
It’s not ideal, but every now and again, you need to put in some extra long hours at work.
Although it may be easiest to grab a packet of crisps and a cuppasoup, your work will suffer if you don’t feed your brain properly.
A little extra planning can provide you the proper nutrients – and give you the stamina you need to get through your busy day.
Take a look at these – slighty surprising – foods that will give you an extra push.
White Fish
This is a terrific source of protein that your body can easily absorb. Protein is normally associated with muscle growth, but it is needed for just about every function and system in the body. White fish is non-inflammatory and high in nutrients like iodine, copper and zinc, which are necessary for thyroid function and metabolism. Thyroid function helps to regulate stress, so when working long hours, it’s essential to make sure you pay attention to this gland.
Squash
This vegetable is a powerful carbohydrate, and certainly healthier than refined breads. Squash is packed full of glucose which can be used for energy. In fact, it can even re-sensitise insulin, so it works more effectively. Squash is also full of auxiliary nutrients that help sugar to get into your cells and for conversion into energy.
Coconut oil
It sounds like a strange super food, however, it is incredibly valuable for liver function. This oil acts an antibacterial and antimicrobial food, supporting the immune system. It helps to regulate cell metabolism, creating more carbon dioxide and energy. Coconut oil also assists glucose to get into the cell and it is useful for detoxifying oestrogen. As a bonus, coconut oil also reduces inflammation and helps with internal stress management.
Oranges
These are an excellent form of natural energy. They are high in magnesium, which is nature’s tranquilliser. It helps with muscle relaxation, nerve function, digestion, and more. Of course, it is known for its high Vitamin C content which is used for collagen formation. It also supports the immune system and blood vessels, which is especially beneficial if you battle high blood pressure.
Sea Salt
Sodium is indispensable for regulating blood pressure. It also contains other trace minerals which help your thyroid, metabolism and cell functions. Sea salt also assists with the body’s ability to hold on to electrolytes and other minerals, a process that is impaired under stress.
Add it all together into a quick stress busting meal
As a shopping list, it may seem a bit on the wild side for a late night at the office, but you can throw a terrific meal together from just these 5 basic ingredients that will wow your taste buds – and give you some extra stamina.
Simply pre-heat the grill function on your oven. Place your white fish in the middle of an oven proof dish and drizzle with coconut oil. Add cubed pieces of the squash around the fish and add a dash of the sea salt to everything. If your squash is quite firm, you may want to pre-boil it for a few minutes before adding it to fish. When the fish and vegetables are cooked through, squeeze a bit of orange over it, allowing as much pulp to come out as possible.
It’s an unpretentious, delectable dish designed to warm your brain and body for the work ahead.
Take Action!
If you are looking for more healthy ideas, check out our healthy cake recipe book which will be published very soon. And, if you want more ideas on pushing through when work demands more of your attention, stay tuned as soon we’ll be launching an entire food blog. And in the meantime the Rethink blog, will bring you more tips all month long.
In the meantime, let us know about your favourite on the go snacks and easy meals for long hours by posting a response below this blog. We’d love to hear from you
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If you’ve enjoyed this food related post – why not check out these other, more cake based, posts:
Ace cakes and the book’s free!
Recipe: Low fat cake – no really!
Or go directly to our food blog Not got much in and grab yourself a free copy of our healthy cake book. It’s imaginatively called ‘Cake!’ and is packed with top tips and easy baking. Plus the cakes taste great.
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Thanks for putting all the food together into a meal idea I can try! Otherwise, I would have probably just read the list and then moved on. LOL I think I might try this in foil on the actual grill…
Ooh in foil would be a great idea – do let us know how you get on with that…
Love some of these!! Sea salt and coconut oil is always in the mix of my day! Back when I had the “diet” mentality – fats and salt were forbidden… I don’t know how I lived without them!!
So glad to hear you say that – Chris our nutritionist, is always telling us that we shouldn’t think of any foods as ‘bad’. Just things that need to be handled in moderation. And you’re right that diet mentality is so hard on the body (and ourselves). thanks for the input
Didn’t expect salt to be on the list despite the photo teaser. Nicely done!
I know, it’s very surprising isn’t it? But as Chris always tells us, our bodies do need ‘some’ salt and during stressful times we deplete our resources
Wow, I am salivating as I read this. You have combined some of my favorite things here. Who knew they also boost stamina? Awesome! Will go straight away to the fish market and get me some white fish for dinner! Great post!
Tastes good and secretly healthy – sneaky eh?
And thanks for your kind words!
Love this – particularly love that you gave us a recipe!
I don’t really eat “snacks,” but I do love meals that can be carried in 1 or 2 small containers AND are great whether eaten hot or cold. 🙂
Oh thanks – glad you found it useful!
Definitely surprising foods! The meal with them all put together sounds great. I’m a vegetarian and I don’t generally eat fish, but sometimes if my body wants it, I do. I might just try this next time I want fish :).
Thanks Leanne – so glad you found it helpful
Thanks for this Liz, very informative post. But I have a question, which do you prefer iodized salt or the sea salt? Thanks!
Hey there Brenz – that’s a great question. I’m not a nutrionist, but I’m fairly sure that Chris Sandel, our nutritionist would say that the less chemical work that is done one anything we put in our bodies the better. Sea salt would therefore be the winner. And personally I find it much nicer to use and to taste. It’s not cheap – but it is ONLY salt, so it lasts for a long time… hope this helps and thanks for your question.
You guys out there are performing a great job.
Alton Dipiazza
Thanks always good to know we’re helping people.
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thanks! .
I love the way you wrote about the health benefits of each item before you described how to prepare it all together into a delicious meal. I had no idea that was coming at the end! My imagination and appetite started working a bit too well – you do have a great way of describing food! Thanks for the tips on the pick-me-up foods we all need now and then.
Why thank you! And we hope you get a chance to try the meal – as you say, it’s a little bonus to pull it all together. It always helps implementing if there’s something practical to try it out on
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Excellent – we hope you had excellent posture as you did so! If not please check out this weeks article about how posture can affect your brain.
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Thanks – we’re happy to help
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