Brain food for business executives

As a busy executive, you’ll know the importance of making the most of each hour of the day. But when you add studying for an Executive MBA to the mix of work and family commitments, there’s an even greater need to make every hour count.

While studying for an Executive MBA is an exciting time of your professional career, it can also be stressful. There are the challenges of meeting deadlines, organising time into an already busy schedule for group projects, and for many students, the requirements of travel as part of the EMBA program.

Looking after your health and wellbeing is therefore paramount. Getting regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will ensure your body – and mind – are in good shape to cope with the challenges of the Executive MBA. QS Top Executive gets top tips from nutritional therapist, Alli Godbold, on the best foods for busy executives.

1. The power of protein

Eat good quality protein foods at every meal. Ideally eat eggs for breakfast and chicken or fish for lunch and supper. Protein helps to keep blood sugar levels balanced which sustains energy.

2. Grab a healthy snack

Snack on raw nuts and seeds instead of biscuits and crisps. Nuts and seeds provide important nutrients, essential fats, protein and fibre - a far more nutritious alternative.

3. Avoid the caffeine

Drink herbal teas and water rather than caffeinated drinks. Tea, coffee and cola drinks cause energy levels to yo-yo up and down.

4. Keep hydrated

Drinking lots of water (including that in herbal teas) helps you to stay hydrated which is essential for good focus.

5. An egg a day

Eggs provide good levels of the nutrient choline. This is needed for the manufacture of acetyl-choline which is the neurotransmitter in the brain involved in memory.

6. Stock up on vitamin C

Red peppers and tomatoes are two great sources of vitamin C and should therefore be included daily in salads and wraps. Vitamin C is important for dealing with stress as well as being a very important immune boosting nutrient.

7. Stay stress-free

Snack on almonds as these are a good source of magnesium. This nutrient helps the body cope with stress and can help to prevent cramping of muscles.

8. Love thy lentils

Include lentils in soups or salads. Lentils are a good source of vitamin B5 which is another nutrient the body needs to deal with stress. Lentils are also a good vegan source of protein.

9. Berry good

Eat berries daily at breakfast or as a snack/dessert as they are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are vital for good immunity.

10. Immune boosting tricks

Buy a good quality protein powder to blend with berries and soya milk for an immune boosting, power drink. This is ideal as an emergency meal replacement or as a pick-me-up during times of stress.

Alli Godbold (Dip I.O.N. mBANT , CNHC and NTC registered) is a nutritional therapist and author of Feed Your Health, available from The Hot Hive and Amazon.co.uk.
www.feedyourhealth.co.uk