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Entrepreneurs are always looking for ways to reduce the number of decisions they make in order to free up brain space for “big things.” For example, some thought leaders pare down their wardrobes to a standard style (à la Steve Jobs), while others optimize by eating the same thing every day (not necessarily healthy). There are some too.
A fresh take on this efficiency principle came in the form of a Bay Area company that launched a product called Soylent in 2013. Fed up with wasting money and energy on food, one of the company’s founders, Rob Reinhart, invented a “super sludge” aimed at: It provides the body with a mixture of essential nutrients, maltodextrin, amino acids, fiber, olive oil, and other ingredients. According to one journalist, wiredits original formulation looked like pancake mix and tasted like chalk.
After reading that article, I could understand why this concept could be considered potentially dystopian (the inspiration for its name, after all, is that humans have to deal with reprocessed human corpses). It’s a 1973 movie that forces you to consume), but Soylent is still going strong. The company is now based in Los Angeles and continues to grow and innovate (now offering more delicious options like chocolate and strawberry). Its success supports the idea that busy professionals will seek convenience when it comes to their appetites.
I’m a big proponent of simplifying as many tasks as possible. Although I’m used to having a smoothie every now and then for lunch, I’m not a fan of outsourcing my meals entirely. Fortunately, for food-loving entrepreneurs, there are creative benefits to being more thoughtful and diversifying what and how you eat.
Related: 7 Tips for Startup Food Entrepreneurs
materials for creativity
As something of a counterpoint to Reinhardt’s practicality of food, a 2021 literature review written by a team of researchers and academics found that people who see food as just fuel are more likely to experience the creative benefits of eating more consciously. The evidence suggests that people are missing out on significant benefits. They wrote that engaging multiple senses (taste, smell, touch, etc.) while eating can enhance creative thinking in a variety of ways, and used the wine experience as an example. People who enjoy wine think about taste, smell, and color. You might come up with a descriptive metaphor for each. The creative wheels start turning. It follows, then, that approaching food with attention to similar qualities (and metaphorical associations) may increase creativity as well.
The authors also made a case for eating foods that bring real pleasure. They suggest that people experience enhanced creativity when they: happyIncludes a relaxed or moderately excited state. In the words of author Marie Kondo, think about the foods that bring you joy when you eat them. Maybe it’s your partner’s famous lasagna (even better the next day as leftovers), a burrito from your favorite food truck, or a big, colorful salad.
Eating delicious food and taking the time to savor its flavors primes your brain for exploration. Even better, certain foods can actually boost your brain’s performance.
Related: Your bad eating habits are hurting your business
Nutrition that sharpens the mind
The first rule of thumb for choosing meals that produce sharp thinking is: think about them in advance: to make a choice in front you are greedy Various studies have shown that humans will be far more resistant to salt, calories, and fat in the future than they are today.
It’s worth remembering that glucose, a type of sugar, is the main energy source for the body’s cells, and brain cells use the most energy. But not all foods are created equal when it comes to glucose. Some foods release glucose quickly, giving you a sudden spike in energy (and a quick drop as well). This family of “simple carbohydrates” includes pizza, pasta, bread, and sugary drinks. Other foods called “slow-carb foods” release glucose gradually, such as starchy vegetables (sweet potatoes, pumpkin, beets), whole grains, beans, and legumes.
Other foods are associated with memory and cognition. The study was published in his 2014 edition. Psychiatric Research Journal The amino acid tyrosine, a precursor to the “feel-good” hormone dopamine, has been shown to enhance cognitive performance, especially in short-term stressful or cognitively demanding situations. So eat lots of seaweed, bananas, and almonds. Other research has shown that alpha-linolenic acid, a plant-based omega-3 fat found in walnuts and flaxseeds, also improves memory and cognition, as do antioxidants found in berries. . Foods high in choline and folic acid, such as eggs, are linked to improved cognitive performance and memory.A 2014 study published in British Journal of Health Psychiatry They found that young people who ate more fruits and vegetables reported an increased sense of well-being, greater curiosity, and greater creativity.
The bad news is that in the real world, we don’t always have time to prepare balanced meals, but it’s actually easy to supplement what you’re eating with nutrient-dense options. For example, if you have pizza for lunch, add a handful of almonds to your snack. If you have bagels for breakfast, olive oil seaweed chips are added in the morning. The goal is balance. It also automates snack selection by pre-programming delivery orders. That way, when your stomach grumbles, you’ll reach for brain-boosting dried fruit instead of a bag of M&Ms.
Related: Nourishing your body is the key to boosting your business
As CEO of Jotform and author of books on automation, I understand the tendency to want to optimize as many tasks as possible. If you want more time to do important creative work (aka “things that matter”) and spend more time with your family. something You need to hit the cutting board. But I also believe in the tangible and intangible benefits of being thoughtful about what you eat. I’d rather invest time in identifying and automating busy tasks than skipping lunch with colleagues and friends. After all, if you are defined by what you eat, wouldn’t it be wise to make that food high quality, fun and creative?
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