5 Dietary Habits That Could Be Impacting Your Staff’s Ability to Concentrate at Work

Discover five common dietary habits that may be affecting your team's focus and productivity - and learn simple tips to help improve concentration at work.

1 Skipping Breakfast.

Research shows that employees who eat breakfast experience better memory, recall, and recognition. A balanced breakfast also helps with blood sugar management, reduces appetite later in the day, and boosts energy - supporting a productive and consistent workday.

Tip for your team: Encourage starting the day with breakfast or a small snack before getting to work. Easy options like eggs on toast, yogurt and muesli, or overnight oats can make a big difference!

2 Cutting Carbs.

Did you know that glucose, sourced from carbohydrates, fuels the brain? When employees don’t get enough of the right carbohydrates, their brain can become depleted, making concentration more difficult.

Tip for your team: Aim for a small source of slow releasing carbohydrates in each meal and snack. Low GI foods like wholegrain bread, cereals, fruit, grainy crackers, pasta, sweet potato, and basmati rice provide steady energy for clearer thinking.

3 Insufficient Protein.

Protein provides amino acids essential for mental alertness. When paired with carbohydrates, protein also helps slow down glucose release, supporting steady, sustained energy.

Tip for your team: Encourage a small protein source in each meal and snack. Options like chicken, meat, fish, eggs, tofu, yoghurt, and nuts and seeds are ideal choices for maintaining focus.

4 Too Many High GI Carbs.

High-GI carbs like sugary snacks and white bread can cause rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar, leading to the notorious “3pm slump.” These fluctuations can make it challenging for employees to maintain consistent focus.

Tip for your team: Suggest swapping high-GI carbs for lower-GI options like wholegrain bread, oats instead of corn flakes, or basmati instead of jasmine rice, to maintain steadier energy levels.

5 Regular Alcohol Consumption.

Even small amounts of alcohol can impact brain health, memory, and sleep quality, all of which are crucial for cognitive function and productivity at work.

Tip for your team: Encourage a few alcohol-free nights each week. Replacing the evening drink with a stress relieving alternative like a game, good book, or a pamper night - can be a refreshing change to trial.

Let Our Dietitian Team Help Your Team.

At Trusted Dietitians, we take the guesswork out of finding the right nutrition professional. Our experienced team of APDs is available to support your team to improve their focus, productivity and overall wellbeing. Whether it’s through Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), private consultations, or corporate support: you can trust that you and your team are in safe hands to better manage all health and nutrition needs.

Want to learn more? Get in touch today to explore how we can help you or your organisation.