5 Ways to Make Sure Your Food Delivery Orders Serve Up All-Day Energy
Posted by Sara on Thursday, April 10th, 2014 with Comments Off on 5 Ways to Make Sure Your Food Delivery Orders Serve Up All-Day Energy Comments
During an especially busy workday, the last thing on your mind may be what you eat for lunch… and that’s if you even take a lunch break at all.
The office is doing a takeout order? Sure, put me down for a burrito or something, I’ll have ten minutes between meetings around lunchtime.
Is that pizza in the break room? Great, I can eat that at my desk while I approve these reports.
Does your office need a lunchtime energy boost?
Image source: Flickr user 10 10
Convenience is king… but would you believe that taking a few extra minutes to choose a healthier food delivery order could make a huge difference in how productive you are the rest of the day?
It’s true. Your body uses food as fuel, whether you’re at the gym or a conference table. And not all fuel is created equal. When you eat a meal full of processed carbs (like most pizza and burritos, for instance), you’re quickly digesting a high amount of glucose. This glucose floods your bloodstream, giving you an instant energy boost… followed shortly after by an inevitable crash as your body tries to return to a steady equilibrium.
The result? You feel tired, your mental clarity suffers, and your day will seem that much longer. On the other hand, if you had eaten a lunch full of lean protein (like chicken or fish) and complex carbohydrates (like beans, sweet potatoes, and whole grains), you would digest the glucose in your food much more slowly, giving you a slow but steady supply of energy throughout the day. No spike, no crash, and no fatigue.
Sushi with brown rice and salmon offers all-day energy.
Image source: Flickr user zackzen
And it’s easy to choose a smarter, energy-boosting lunch, even when you’re talking about takeout. Take just a few extra minutes to place your food delivery order, and you’ll reap the benefits for the rest of the day. Here are some specific suggestions from the most common menus:
Say yes to sushi, but choose salmon rolls with brown rice (and without the spicy mayo sauce). The brown rice, as a whole grain, provides much more fiber (and thus slows down digestion) than traditional sushi rice, and salmon is a wonderful source of omega-3 fatty acids that help support cognitive function and memory. Add in a side of edamame for even more fiber and nutrients, including vitamins A and C.
Pack your salad with energy-rich ingredients like hard-boiled eggs for a smarter, heartier lunch.
Image source: Flickr user wintersoul1
Salads are usually a healthy choice, but if your greens aren’t hearty enough, you might be tempted to dip into the candy bowl or vending machine after just a few hours. To promote all-day satiety and specifically target better energy levels, ensure yours includes a few protein and fiber-rich ingredients: pumpkin seeds, chicken, beans, and hard-boiled eggs are all excellent energy-boosting foods. Egg yolks, for example, are rich in B-vitamins – and B-vitamins are key to a host of different bodily functions that help maintain our energy levels.
At the Mexican place, skip the carb-heavy tortillas and ask for a burrito bowl. If you can, include brown rice, black beans, and chicken (taking care of your lean protein and whole grains), with guacamole instead of cheese for creaminess and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
Chana masala is a vegetarian, energy-packed takeout lunch.
Image source: Flickr user Gail
When it’s time for Indian takeout, order up chana masala. Chickpeas stewed in a tomato sauce with onions and lots of spices: this vegetarian dish is hearty and packed full of flavor, so you won’t miss the empty carbs from naan or white rice. The chickpeas provide protein and fiber, so you’ll feel full and satisfied — but not overstuffed — all day.
And whatever you order, drink a big glass of water alongside. Chugging soda can mess with your blood sugar levels and give the same spike-and-crash effect as a carb-heavy lunch — and yes, diet sodas likely count, too. In contrast, staying hydrated will help you ward off fatigue.
When it comes to food delivery that will keep you energized and focused during a busy day, Waiter.com offers the best of both worlds: a wide range of menus with plentiful healthy options, and the convenience of online ordering and prompt delivery. Make your lunch work in your favor!
When it comes to feeding employees and coworkers, make your company's food program really count! If your workplace dining plan needs to take it up a notch — or if you don't have one at all — Waiter.com is here to help. From Virtual Cafeteria Service to diverse menus to local takeout & delivery, Waiter.com offers customizable dining solutions for every business and budget. Contact us today to get started!
