We all know how important a pre-game meal is before any sporting or fitness activity, but did you know it’s just as important to Eat This… before your next Test, Speech, Presentation, Interview, Audition, or whenever you want better brain function.
What I’m trying to say, is when you need your brain and mental concentration working at its best. Take a minute and look at what you eat before you step up to the microphone, podium, exam room, audition and the list goes on.
The reason is simple. You want your mental focus and concentration firing at peak performance. Not ready to take a nap. Unfortunately, in today’s busy lifestyle, some people are unknowingly eating foods that put their brain and mental function to sleep, instead of firing on all cylinders for peak performance.
It doesn’t help that a large percentage of people aren’t getting enough good sleep either, but that’s another story.
Basic Bio-Chemistry for Better Mental Function
Before the big game or next good workout, you want to carb-up so you can get the most out of your workout. And as important as carbohydrates are in providing energy when it comes to exercise, the same reasoning applies to protein and brain function. I’m sure some have already experienced or felt sleepy after eating, especially if the meal is carbohydrate loaded. It’s even worse if you’re eating processed, packaged, refined carbs instead of carbs from fruits and veggies.
That being the case, by applying some basic bio-chemistry you can easily increase brain function by eating a protein rich meal prior to…
- Taking a test; giving a presentation, a speech, audition; interview, spelling bee, you name it…
The last thing you want to feel when you need to be at your sharpest, mentally – is sleepy! You want your mental concentration and brain firing at peak levels. But if you eat a carb loaded meal or snack such as popcorn, pasta, pizza, chips, cookies, crackers, cereal, bagel, muffin, pancakes, orange juice, lemonade… which are ALL loaded with carbohydrates. You will essentially be doing things to help relax mental function and slowly start putting yourself to sleep.
How many can recall the last time they sat and ate a carb-loaded meal or snack and started to feel a little sleepy and sluggish? I’m not saying all these carb-loaded foods are bad for you and you need to keep them out of your daily diet.
I’m paraphrasing the Book of Ecclesiastes when it says “there’s a time for everything.” And when it’s time for you to have as much mental clarity and processing power as possible – STAY AWAY from high carbohydrate meals and snacks! Eat more PROTEIN!
Protein is commonly found in eggs, chicken, beef, fish, milk (raw milk), as well as nuts and seeds. Your Pre-Mental performance meal doesn’t have to be ONLY protein, but it should be a good serving like a good grilled chicken salad, club sandwich, chicken fingers or burger without all the French fries, cookies, shake or soda.
We’ll share more soon enough, but if you don’t know who your enemies are – it’s easy to fall victim. So, if you’re looking to take advantage of whatever opportunity you’re presented with and you want your brain firing on all cylinders when the time comes… Think Protein and good fats.
There will be plenty of time to mix and match, as well as splurge for another day. But just like exercise, when it’s time to work your physical muscles, give them the fuel, the carbohydrates they need. And when you need peak mental/brain function… Foods such as chicken, beef, fish and egg work great.
Fyi…Jerky is a great snack to keep in your purse, backpack, car, etc.
Also, if you’re struggling with mental clarity and feelings of anxiety, lethargy or depression a carb loaded meal, especially refined carbohydrates will only keep you in that mental lethargy state you’re in. So, if you’re already feeling lax and run down, you don’t want to be adding more of those chemical brain messengers because of a wrong or bad diet. So, a simple diet change to more protein and good fats could help move you into a better bio-chemical, mental direction.
Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine said, “let food be your medicine and let medicine be your food.”
