Will this be your best day ever? Or your beastliest? What you put in your mouth will have a lot to do with the answer. Food can help fuel body and mind to ensure that you perform at the peak of your abilities. Or it can sabotage your best efforts, leaving you panicked, drained, and floundering. Are you eating your way to disaster, or triumph? Let's go through your daily menu of foods and tasks to help you snack, slurp, and sup your way to success.
Live longer, stronger, and leaner, and transform your body into a sleeker, fitter, stronger version of itself with this 4-week plan.
6:43 AM: You've just rolled out of bed. You need to be on the road by 7:20. Big day of work ahead.
Eat This: Bacon or ham and fried eggs
Benefit 1: Fullness and energy
The protein in this power meal will keep you feeling full throughout the morning. A University of Illinois study found that people who eat more protein and less carbs than in conventional meals find it easier to stick to a diet. Protein is satiating and may also boost calorie burn, the study authors say.
Benefit 2: Relaxed blood vessels
When you digest eggs, protein fragments are produced that can prevent your blood vessels from narrowing-which may help keep your blood pressure from rising. In fact, Canadian scientists found in a lab study that the hotter the eggs, the more potent the proteins, and frying them sends their temps soaring.
Also see:
- 7 foods that should never cross your lips
- 25 ridiculously healthy foods
- The new eating disorder?
- Why Canada is awash in salt
Not That: Pancakes, or a bagel with cream cheese
These carbohydrate-loaded options will send your blood glucose skyward, and you may feel ready to tackle anything. But don't be fooled: That soaring blood sugar will lead to a crash, and you're bound to feel hungry again before lunch. Resist the tempting ease of most high-carb breakfasts, and go find some protein.
Extra tip: Eat now at home, not later on the road.
A University of Massachusetts study found that eating breakfast out instead of at home more than doubles your odds of obesity. Not only are restaurant meals often bigger than home-cooked ones (check out the 20 Worst Breakfasts in America), but you're also vulnerable to an impulse buy at a drive-thru or convenience store.
7:37 AM: You're caught in stop-and-go traffic. Figures it'd happen on the day you need to arrive early to prepare for the big meeting.
Try This: Chewing gum
Benefit: Stress relief
Stop pounding the steering wheel and reach for a pack of gum. In a British study, people who chewed gum while taking math, memory, and concentration tests reported an average 13 percent drop in stress. The study authors believe that the act of chewing might lead to subconscious associations with positive social settings (like mealtimes), which may reduce tension.
Not That: Coffee
Caffeine can trigger a spike in the stress hormone cortisol. It's not the best choice in a situation you can't control. Have your caffeine fix at the office, to help you power through problems.
9:42 AM: Your to-do list is tedious and never-ending. You're having trouble staying on task.
Drink This: Peppermint tea
Benefit: Focus
Researchers in Cincinnati found that periodic whiffs of peppermint increase people's concentration and performance on tasks requiring sustained attention. (Sniff: "I can do this.") Now, we know most guys don't keep peppermint tea in their desks. So here's your Men's Health -approved shopping suggestion. The brand Stash has made MH's Best Foods for Men list ( check out all 125 foods here ) for the last 2 years. Brew a cup and impress coworkers with your focus.
Not That: Soda
British researchers discovered that sleepy people who downed a sugary, caffeinated drink similar to soda had slower reaction times and more lapses in attention after 80 minutes than people who drank a sugar-free beverage.
Next up: Lunch that will keep you alert
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wow i am in shock this is the first half decent post about food i have ever seen on MSN!!!
congrats MSN :)