For media practitioner and mother-of-two, Tripti Gambhir working through the afternoon was an ordeal. Post lunch, the 44-year-old would have had to fight the urge to relax and catch some much-needed sleep. “It was so bad at times that I used to sneak down to my car in the building compound, on the pretext of fetching something and take a power nap for 20 minutes before rushing back up to the office,” she confesses with a tinge of embarrassment. Even though there are studies that point to a slew of immediate benefits for memory and learning following an afternoon nap. Tripti’s predicament isn’t unusual. Most of us face this issue after a power-packed morning session of yoga or gym, dispatching kids and spouse with tiffins, and then rushing off to work ourselves. But just maybe, this issue can be addressed with a smart choice of foods in your diet.
NUTRIENT INDEX
Chennai-based dietitian Deepalekha Bhattacharjee says, “Your lunch must be wholesome and pack a judicious mix of items from all food groups such as carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals and fibre. This will keep your energy level high and rev up your stamina. Munch on some nuts (with skin), or sprouts, or a fruit about three hours after lunch to boost your energy and stamina level and shrug off the sluggishness.”She says chapati or rice, dal, pulses, paneer, fish, chicken, egg whites in any form, vegetables, a small bowl of salad combined with curd will not only provide instant energy, but also boost stamina and energy, and slow down the digestion process ensuring that whatever one eats will not be digested promptly, hence the energy produced will drip feed over a period of time. This will help guard against the feeling of sluggishnes s.Unlike many dietary fads that cut out carbs completely, one needs carbs to keep going through the day. Says fashion designer Masaba Gupta, “I cannot edit out carbs from my diet as I feel weak. I get a headache, feel lethargic and can’t function properly. What works for me is zero sugar consumption. Whenever I feel hungry in between meals, I snack on chopped carrots and cucumbers. I have three-litres of water every day. I even have a box of nuts handy at office to deal with sudden hunger pangs.”
WORK SMART
Work smart at office by making small changes in your daily routine. “Have a healthy breakfast, streamline your intake of tea and coffee,” advises Mumbai-based dietitian Sarika Nair of Slim n Happy.
Shilpi Madan for The New Indian Express