Nutrition of business people

Without power even a machine will stop working, let alone a human being, and many of us force our organism to work without the necessary time to recover.

It is believed that business people's nutrition is basically inadequate, which means they consume low quality food. We hear, on regularly basis, that it's not their fault because the business day cannot be organised so as to meet both their business and healthy nutrition requirements (they are not to be blamed). The conclusion is forced upon us that those workers who don't spend their time at lunch are better and more useful workers than those who eat during work time. If we do find some chocolate, yogurt or piece of fruit at some workplace, we are ready to conclude that it is primarily important to a worker to nibble and eat. Investing in adequate individual daily nutrition is an investment for better work results, nicer look and cool mood

Numerous books have been written about nutrition of athletes and many appropriate meals for them have been arranged to ensure their best performance. Along sport equipment there come drinks (isotonic drinks) and mini snacks to support athlete's efforts. We also consider the input and consumption of energy, stress and dehydration, the length and intensity of effort and fighting free- radicals. Meal and meal time during the day are pre-determined, so the nutritional substances, without which the tasks cannot be professionally done, are eaten on regular scheduled basis.

However, we are imposed to believe that business people do not eat and drink and that lunches are something meant only for celebration or for marking a successful business. Without energy even a machine will stop working, and many of us are constantly forcing our organism to work immaculately and creatively, with no energy input or time for proper recovery. After a long and exhausting day we are too tired to eat, or we eat sporadically and a lot with no feeling for measure.

How to get organised?

We assume that most business people have bad eating habits which results with chronic fatigue, decline of immune system, obesity, difficult digestion, cardiovascular problems, problems with blood pressure as well as disorders of the accumulated surplus of free radicals in the body.

However, business people can help themselves and organise their nutrition in two ways:

• Appropriate meal which they bring to work with them

• Eating at restaurants and at company canteens

It would be ideal to achieve the combination of these two models including essential breakfast before going to work, which consists of a warm drink and a low fat spread on whole wheat flour bun.

If you prepare a meal at home which you intend to bring to work, don't forget about two important facts:

• Store a meal in an appropriate container and use food which are not highly susceptible to rapid spoilage.

• Plan to prepare meals with less fat and lower glycemic index

Glycemic index

Soup lovers can use a wide range of Podravka Fini-Mini instant soups, which can be prepared quickly and easily at work.

Glycemic index indicates the power to increase the level of glucose in blood (applies to foods rich with carbohydrates). The so-called bad carbohydrates have a high Glycemic index and their consumption leads to emergence of obesity, concentration decrease, increase of appetite and sleepiness during the day. So business people should avoid the following in their nutrition: white confectionery sugar (75), beer (110), cornflakes (85), white bread (75), and biscuits (70). Glycemic index value is listed in parentheses.
Preference should be given to meals with low glycemic index, which provide high-quality energy without fluctuations of blood glucose, and they are: bread and pastry from whole wheat (35-40), legumes (30), green vegetables (15), tomato salad (15), fresh fruit (30) and soy (20).

The secret lies in good planning

Lunch plan:

• Pasta with tomato sauce

• Rice with mixed vegetables

• Turkey steak in whole wheat flour bun

• Soy steak and salad

• Salad with cooked beans

• Dairy products from skimmed milk with whole grains bun  

If you have a refrigerator at your disposal, be sure to plan meat, mushrooms, eggs and cheese meals.

Soup lovers can simply use instant mini-soups. Podravka offers a wide range of Fini-Mini instant soups, which can be easily and quickly prepared at all times so that you dissolve the contents of the packet or cup. Fini-Mini soups proved to be extremely useful in summer heat (replacement of minerals and water).

In a similar way you can prepare other instant meals intended for fast preparation such as pasta and risotto. If you don't have much time, and you want to have a hot snack, instant meals are the right choice for you.
Generally, meals which require only a few minutes to be finished are made of optimal contents, low fat and don't require lots of cutlery for their preparation. Only well balanced meals ensure sufficient energy needed for work, over a reasonable period of time.

Drinking is as important as eating

A person who feels responsible for his/her health drinks water, juice or tea during the day. Going to restaurants usually results with a glass of wine which enhances digestibility preventing cardio-vascular diseases, refreshes and relaxes. Wine is rich in minerals and antioxidants and small amounts of wine after lunch are considered beneficial.
Of course, it is necessary to avoid alcoholic drinks, large amounts of wine or beer, as well as dishes that encourage flatulence and greasy foods which need to be digested for several hours.

Investment in personal daily nutrition is investment in better work results, nicer look and cool mood. Nutrition of business people is directly related to their business success.