How To Eat Well as a Busy Business Owner

As a business owner, we are always thinking and planning ahead. We are constantly figuring out important ways to cut costs and maximize profits, motivate ourselves and our employees, and juggle numerous things, on a daily basis.

One important thing that tends to get neglected by business owners is health and nutrition. If we struggle to take care of our mental and physical health, it can have an overflow effect on our ability to conduct business well.

We, as high performers, should set ourselves up for success in all areas of our lives.

By building a few healthy habits, centered around fueling our bodies for maximum productivity, we can skyrocket our energy, improve our recovery during sleep, have more mental clarity, control stress and anxiety, enhance our overall happiness, and enjoy our success.

Here are a few easy habits that you can adopt today to help you eat well as a busy business owner:

• MEAL PREP:

  Planning your meals ahead of time for the week is a huge time saver. If you spend 30 minutes on Sunday preparing your lunches for the week, you will have free time during the weekdays to focus on something else.

  Prep an extra cup of rice, a few extra pieces of chicken, or slice up some extra veggies. Throw these items over a bed of organic lettuce and drizzle on some tangy salad dressing when you're ready to eat.

• PRIORITIZE PROTEIN:

  Protein is not only essential to building and maintaining a strong, healthy body, but it is satiating and will keep you full for hours. Make sure to eat protein in every meal for a balanced diet.

  When you are busy, some easy high protein meals can include: protein shakes, hard boiled eggs or an egg sandwich, grass-fed beef sticks, or greek yogurt with fruit.

• STAY HYDRATED:

  Being hyper-focused on work projects can distract us from focusing on our own needs for hours at a time. Slowly sipping on water throughout the day helps water to be better absorbed by your cells and replenishes dehydration faster.

  To better enhance your hydration levels and provide you with an energy boost, make a homemade electrolyte drink with water, a sprinkle of mineralized sea salt, and a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime. This drink will provide the body with essential minerals like potassium and sodium.

• ALWAYS HAVE GRAB-AND-GO SNACKS NEARBY

  When running from one meeting to another, it is always a good idea to replenish your energy levels. Having healthy grab-and-go snacks nearby can help you avoid a drop in blood sugar levels which can lead to a crash in energy.

  A good option can be a bag of trail mix made up of nuts and seeds. Always include one option that is salted to help maintain blood pressure, a sweet option like cranberries to help stabilize blood sugar, and a few raw, unsalted seeds to help keep you satiated.

• SET AN ALARM AS A REMINDER TO BREAK

  Just like setting an alarm to wake up for a meeting or scheduling a workout with your trainer, get into the habit of setting an alarm to remind yourself to take a lunch break.

  The external reminder of an alarm will allow you to check in with yourself and your hunger cues. If you do this consistently, eventually your internal clock within your body will adapt to the timing of these alarms. Make sure to never skip a meal. It's important to eat. If you are hungry, you will have a harder time focusing on work.

• MAKE MEETINGS AT HEALTHY RESTAURANTS

  Instead of scheduling a meeting over the lunch hour, plan the meeting at a healthy restaurant. Everyone needs to eat.

  It is more beneficial to eat a leisurely lunch over the course of an hour while discussing work than it is to scarf down a few bites of something before rushing off to a stressful encounter.

• PROVIDE HEALTHY SNACKS TO YOUR EMPLOYEES AND CLIENTS

  As a business owner, it is up to you to set the example of taking care of your health so you can feel good and be your best self. Eating healthy foods will fuel your mind, keep your energy high, and boost your mood.

  
  

  Providing yourself, your employees, and your clients with healthy snacks like a charcuterie board of cheese and crackers, nuts and seeds, and fruit and veggies is immensely more beneficial than offering donuts and sweet treats.

Work-life balance is the hidden key to success. If you can seamlessly integrate healthy habits into your workday, you will be an exceptionally better business owner. Start integrating these helpful tips into your daily life today and see your success skyrocket!