Sleep to go:
Poor-choice lunches bring on sluggish afternoons
Do you get tired every afternoon around 2 p.m., causing your normally proficient pace to slow down to a crawl — or worse, a complete stop? You might want to consider what you had for lunch since there’s a good chance what you recently put in your belly has worked its way up to your brain — or at least played a part in slowing the normal neurons firing around up there.
You probably know the obvious villains, like a doublecheeseburger lunch with onion rings, a strawberry shake and one of those huge chocolate chip cookies in plastic wrap strategically placed at the register. But there are other culprits as well. Here’s a list of some of the worst things to eat for lunch when you have to work the rest of the day:
Fried foods: Sorry, falafel, fried chicken and mozzarella sticks — game over. Not only can fried food make you feel sluggish, it can also lead to indigestion, which is unpleasant enough at home, much less in your cubicle.
Spicy foods: If you plucked someone out of 1970 and told them to grab lunch for the office, they’d probably be shocked at the spicy dishes available at nearby restaurants. Not you, though. You’ve been a fan of heat since you asked your mom for a bottle of Tabasco instead of a juice box for your lunch. And while you may consider yourself a champion of wasabi but if heartburn strikes right when you’re pitching Old Man Jones on why you deserve a raise, you may regret going for the gold.
Combo/value meals: Do you really need the jumbo Coke and large cheese fries with your hot dog? Probably not, so don’t fall prey to food items grouped together to save you a few pennies. Eating more than you need is a sure path to a nap under your desk.
Pasta: Pasta dishes, especially those with excessive cheese, creamy sauces, tasty meat and more, are going to put you in a potential food coma, thanks to the time and effort your body will need to process the meal.
Dairy products: A few slices of cheese pizza or a classic grilled cheese may taste amazing but depending on your body, all that cheese can result in some pretty sluggish behavior. Same with milk, yogurt and other dairy-based products.
Creamy soups: Nothing warms the body like a nice bowl of clam chowder. And who doesn’t love a helping of broccoli cheddar soup? Or maybe potato soup is your thing. Whatever your poison, remember that anything in the “comfort food” category, like cream-based soups, are sure to put a stall in your step during the workday.
Processed meats: If you consider the fat and sodium in your favorite processed meat — sausage, salami, bacon — it’s no surprise that indulging in them for your midday meal will not only lead to lethargy but also keep you running to the water cooler to quench your excessive thirst, not to mention the subsequent trips to the bathroom.
Convenience meals: While that microwavable meal in a box may be convenient, it’s also likely loaded with additives, preservatives and enough salt to melt the ice on your driveway. If you want to stay aware in the afternoon, you might want to opt for a fresh salad instead of that frozen manicotti — Now With More Cheese! — that you placed in the office refrigerator this morning.
Too much fiber: Yes, fiber is essential for digestion but remember to keep your intake in mind before splurging on a bowl of brussels sprouts for lunch. Eating too many fiberrich foods at lunch can lead to gas, bloating and frequent trips to the bathroom.
Giant burritos: You know the ones — they’re the size of a rolled-up towel you bring to the beach. Extra beans, cheese, rice and sour cream may taste great but they’ll probably do a number on your afternoon tasks and your stomach.
Sugary snacks: Maybe you enjoy a sweet treat closer to your lunch like a cupcake or a candy bar. Be careful. Sugary snacks may give you a quick boost in energy but those bursts of activity are sure to be followed by a crash, which can result in headaches, fatigue and a complete lack of focus.
Coffee and energy drinks: The caffeine in coffee and certain energy drinks may jolt you into activity but that prompt may not make up for your jitty demeanor, your increased heart rate and the trouble you may have focusing on any task that requires some concentration.
Smoothies: A few chunks of pineapple, some strawberries and a scoop of mango blended together with some kale may seem harmless but you should probably read the fine print. A medium fruit smoothie can have 90 or more grams of carbohydrates, which is enough to help put you and a few of your coworkers in nap mode.
– Marco Buscaglia