Food for Thought

As I crunch on my afternoon apple and try to see the ocean through the smog I can’t help but think about how much better I suddenly feel after just a few bites. I feel smarter and more eager to do the best keyword research ever. 

Over the last couple years I have started to see more and more articles discussing the impact of certain foods on cognitive function. When I read lengthy articles on the benefits of garlic on the immune system and long commentaries on how walnut extract may help treat Alzheimer’s disease, I cannot help but wonder why anyone who cares about their work performance would not give more thought to how their food intake impacts their ability to think and function. While I am not advocating against sweets and fried food altogether, I do wonder if it might not be better for individuals to restrict those foods to dinner or late night binges (if that’s your thing) than for lunch. I also wonder whether employers can help in this effort since it is well known that just the availability and visibility of food increases the chance of consumption by even the most focused employee of the month.

With studies on mice and people demonstrating impaired memory and mental processes after subjects consumed foods high in fat, I am perplexed as to why corporations still have vending machines in their cafeterias and candy desks on the reception desks (thank heavens we only have pizza day once every three months). Might it not be wiser to have fruit instead? I cannot help but wonder whether such a switch to healthier snacks, even if it is more expensive in the short term, might not ultimately boost employee productivity and reduce insurance premiums. Perhaps even insurance companies would even offer their clients lower rates if the companies made an effort to hide the junk food and bring out the walnuts. Many schools have begun to notice that students are better performers after eating healthy lunches; I just wonder when more companies will start to catch on.