Food is fuel. It can power your mind and it can power your business.
As an entrepreneur I am always on the go. Whether it’s for a national broadcast television media appearance, a convention, or a busy book tour, I find myself in a constant state of motion. This type of schedule is a paradox. It’s exhausting, but it also gives me energy. It rejuvenates my soul knowing that I have created a lifestyle brand that so many people connect with and enjoy. It’s a lifestyle designed for people who want to transform their lives and find the extra confidence and energy they need to achieve their personal and professional goals. For me, sharing this prescription for success is the most rewarding work in the world.
Having a healthy diet when you are a business leader on the go is extremely important. We’ve all experienced those moments when we’ve lost focus after an overly indulgent business lunch, or when we’ve raided the work pantry. Proper nutrition can increase your ability to concentrate and make your day more productive. It can also ward off that afternoon slump and keep you working longer. This is crucial for entrepreneurs because you need to stay focused on your next big innovation or the next big thing you are doing to keep your business moving forward. You have a thirst for success that needs to be satisfied, but if your body and digestion are working against you, you’ll have a much harder time quenching that thirst. When I feel my best on the inside, I feel confident on the outside. It’s then I know I possess the power and the stamina to succeed.
Running a company, like many things in life, takes a village. It’s a team effort and requires a strong support system in place. So if you’ve been able to harness the power of better nutrition and wellness in your own life, share it with your work team. It will only make them stronger and the company at large more successful if personal motivation is shared and individual successes celebrated. Each employee’s success at personal wellness is the company’s success. To that end, I relish any opportunity to inspire my coworkers or make specific nutritional recommendations.
For me, I’m always looking for meals and snacks that are what I call, compound nutrition. In other words, food that gives you the most nutrient dense bang for your buck. And foods that may even help fuel your body on a cellular level by supporting your mitochondria, or parts of your cells where energy production occurs. Think of mitochondria as your executive in-house power fuel. When nourished properly, the mitochondria will help power you through your day.
I also like to tell people they can supercharge their nutrition by coming up with creative combos, and those often start with some basic building blocks. Here are three of my favorite staples I count on every day.
Spicy Eggs
Eggs are one of my favorite high-performance foods. They are a quick source of protein that you can take on the go. Eggs are also extremely versatile. Add a dash of cayenne pepper to your eggs to boost your metabolism. Capsaicin is the chemical in cayenne pepper that makes it hot and spicy. Several studies show capsaicin can increase the rate at which you use energy and burn fat. If spice isn’t your thing, I have two more ways to elevate your eggs and spice them up in a way that doesn’t bring the heat – have eggs with sauerkraut, or try them with ghee. Sauerkraut is a fermented food that feeds the good bacteria in your gut. Ghee, on the other hand, is a gut friendly, butter option and one of my favorite ways to flavor and add healthy fat to eggs every morning. Ghee goes through a clarifying process that removes casein and lactose so it won’t irritate the gut lining like traditional dairy does.
Bone Broth
Another staple in my diet is bone broth. It is a delicious, savory cup that packs powerful vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids to help you perform at your best. When I’m in between meetings and don’t have much time, I have a cup of bone broth for a satisfying and healthy alternative to what might be in the vending machine or available at the corner bodega. Bone broth can also help with your digestive system and gut health, which helps your immune system stay strong.
Seeded Nut Butter
If you’ve never heard of seeded nut butter, I’m not surprised. It’s a concoction I crafted in my own kitchen. It’s simple: take any nut butter of choice like almond butter or cashew butter and sprinkle a couple tablespoons of chia seeds or flaxseeds, or both, right into the container. Mix it around, the seeds will virtually vanish into the texture of the nut butter. For some people this added boost of nutrition gives nut butter an added crunch, for others, they don’t even know they’re in there. Healthy fats like nut butters and seeds leave the stomach slower than carbs and protein, and that means you’ll feel fuller, longer. You’ll also spare yourself the energy crash that usually comes with simple carbs.
I guess you could say healthy food is the best teammate you could ask for at work. It’s delicious and provides the fuel you need to be at your best. You must take care of yourself so you can take care of others. And while some people assume I leave no room for indulgences or an occasional nutritional “cheat,” I want to be very clear that it’s normal and OK to indulge in your favorite delights, like a glass of wine or chocolate in moderation, while you’re focused on consuming those powerhouse health foods most of the time.
That balance in your life, and in the life of your coworkers, will keep you and your company sharp, leading to the greatest success personally and professionally.
