You’re nearly ready for next week’s problem solving session… Problem clearly defined and the objectives of the day outlined? Check. Silly-Puddy, Play-Doh, and Slinkys? Check. Flip charts, colored markers, Post-It notes? Check.
But what about snacks, drinks, and lunch?
Hold on before before you order a dozen pizzas, twice as many Red Bull, and a tub of Red Vines…
If you really want maximize the most important part of your problem solving machine – your brains… Re-write your menu with this food for thought.
Snacks
Skip the Skittles, instead try these energy sustaining treats.
- Nuts and Seeds – Not a can of roasted, salted, honey-coated nuts… but the stuff from nature… Provide pumpkin seeds, toasted soy nuts and natural almonds.
- Fruits – Serve fresh berries, whole or sliced apples, pears and oranges. Consider dried apricots, raisins and figs. Bananas are good too, for quick energy that’ll last up to two hours. Offer vanilla yogurt with ginger powder mixed in for a dip or side.
- Vegetables – Offer carrot sticks, broccoli, and slices of red pepper. Keep them on crushed ice through the day for a fresher flavor. Serve with hummus as a dip or side.
Drinks
Stop the pop and sugary drinks and try these creative juices instead.
We live in a wonderful time when fresh, additive-free juices from around the world are readily available at the grocery store. The shorter the shelf life, the better it is going to be for you. Also drink plenty of water. (And plan a couple more “potty breaks.”)
Meal
Hold the lunchmeat. Instead of piling in a big lunch at noon, consider snacks through the day. This will prevent a lull or spike in energy, and the sleepiness when your body tries to process a big meal.
Want More?
- Eat breakfast – You’ve heard it a million times, because it is true. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Oatmeal is tops. Instead of store bought packets, make your own.
In a tall bowl, mix 1/4 cup oats, 2 oz water, 2 oz milk (or soy milk), raisins, pumpkin seeds, slivered almonds, ground flax/linseed, and a dash of cinnamon. Microwave for 3 minutes stirring each minute. Top with a spoonful of honey and enjoy! - Get plenty of sleep – Mom was right, you need a good night’s sleep. Before a day of heavy idea lifting, recharge your brain with plenty of rest.
- This Idea Stinks – The scent of peppermint can make you more alert. Bring in a couple of jars of aromatherapy peppermint oil and encourage a sniff now and then. Have your team put few drops on a cotton ball to whiff once in a while… it’s almost like having a personal spa!
Why does this work?
As described in Eat Yourself Clever by Carol Vorderman, The best fuel for brain power are carbohydrate foods… carbs. It’s about eating good carbs that are natural and unrefined (a.k.a. complex). Complex carbs are found in grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. These are broken down slowly and provide a steady stream of energy.
Refined and processed carbohydrates are those found in processed foods. The body breaks these down quickly, so you do get a quick hit of energy. But this sugar rush is quickly replaced by a sugar crash. As described by Vorderman, “When the glucose is used up and you suddenly feel exhausted and irritable, ‘running on empty.’ And of course, that state is disastrous for your mental focus.”
This is all measured by what is called the glycaemic index, or GI for short. Consider this a speedometer for the pace the body breaks food down to glucose, and enters the bloodstream. Vorderman states, “glucose has a value of 100 and water 0. Any food with a GI below around 50 will thus be a good choice if you want high levels of concentration, focus, and alertness.”
Resources:
- 365 Energy Boosters by Susannah Seton and Sondra Kornblaat
- Eat Yourself Clever by Carol Vorderman
- Ideas for Eating Properly with GI Index Focus
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I can’t believe no one has commented yet. This is a great article. Way too often people eat poorly (or skip meals) and wonder why they aren’t in full form. Exercise and sleep are also vital to a properly functioning brain.
I find an ounce of nuts and some oatmeal in the morning is a good start. The nuts have protein which takes longer to digest, so it keeps you fuller longer and the oatmeal is filling, but doesn’t come with the crash of fruit loops or lucky charms.
In an office setting people should be encouraged to eat healthy because it increases productivity and morale and it lowers health care costs. Does a bucket of fried chicken or a tray of deli meat cost that much less than some fruit, nuts, and whole grain breads?
Excellent point, Paul. At a workshop I gave last week, the host organization put out donuts, coffee and water. Since I wasn’t speaking to police officers, the donuts could only provide a quick sugar rush, leading to low blood sugar afterwards. Not ideal for keeping people alert and participatory.
I wonder why more meeting planners aren’t buying healthy snacks that are good for brainstorming and creativity. I suppose donuts and other treats are less expensive.
@Michael: there’s nothing to comment when it’s total truth.
Can’t add anything. 
@Elaine: people like donuts, coffee and sweet stuff more. If you want them on next meeting, you need to motivate them to come?
I think these habbits were developed more because of that.
I think the reason why we typically serve sweets and junk at brainstorming sessions is because it used to be the only way to get people to attend.
Brainstorming used to be so painful, if I can’t get a free lunch and hopped up on sugar… I’m not going.
Donuts are always a nice treat… and the participants appreciate it.
What you need to realize as a facilitator is that you’re potentially snuffing out ideas with the sugars.
Now… if you were planning a 45-power session and wanted to get as much as you could as quickly as possible… bring on the sweets. You’re after that caffeine-sugar high. (But don’t expect much from the lot after an hour or two).
But certainly, if you’re planning an all day session… what you eat can be as important as what you’re solving.
Thanks for all the great comments. I’m glad you’re finding this piece helpful!
Good points, all, Paul.
I don’t think that the habit of having sweets at a business meeting has anything to do about getting people to attend. I mean, in most cases, people either are ordered to attend or want to attend to solve a problem.
What I do believe is the use of sweets and other “comfort foods” was based on the fact that is what the attendees wanted. Now we have a change in attitudes about food and we should accommodate those changes by having healthier snack choices.
I whole hearty agree we should now offer healthier foods.