4 FOODS I EAT BEFORE FLOW-STATE, DEEP-FOCUS WORK

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Our brain and nervous system are more demanding for energy and other nutrients than any other organ.

We think our ability to focus deeply, to get into flow, to get creative are cognitive abilities. We don’t think often that these cognitive abilities depend on food even more so than the athlete’s body.

If you want to stay deeply focused, possibly getting into “the zone” - eat these.

1. PROTEIN

Specifically, animal-based protein rich in all the amino acids we need, especially in tyrosine, the building block of dopamine without which no focus is possible, no productive zone is reachable or sustainable.

Best sources: Chicken, beef, salmon, pork, eggs. Firm tofu is the best plant-based source.

Eggs and salmon are especially great due to additional focus-enhancing nutrients.

2. LONG-LASTING CARBOHYDRATES

The more fiber carbohydrates have - the longer they release energy into the bloodstream. Specifically, this helps to maintain balanced blood sugar for much longer. Unbalanced blood sugar, highs and lows will throw you out of focus and flow even faster than phone notifications. As soon as our blood sugar plummets - cortisol is released and anxiety shoots through the roof. I believe it’s so hard to get into focus and flow states for so many people because of poor nutrition choices that either spike blood sugar or increase anxiety and inflammatory processes in the body and brain.

Best "focused" carbs: Beans and lentils. They have the most fiber per serving and the least sugars.

3. ESSENTIAL FATS

They are the building blocks of the “electrical” infrastructure of the brain. Without proper fats in our brain that have functional and structural purposes electricity of flow, of focus, of attention will be more challenging. We are yet to fully understand how they work in our brain but we know that learning, memory, other cognitive processes start to suffer and our brain literally shrinks without them.

Most people eat enough of Omega 6s but not enough marine Omega 3s.

I personally make sure that early in the day I get either sardines, salmon or fish oil supplement (2g of EPA+DHA) to give my brain the best chance to perform at its peak capacity!

Best fat sources: Salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, cod liver.

4. CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate stimulates all major brain chemicals of flow state - dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, endorphins, anandamide; improves blood circulation in the brain, decreases inflammation - all the great things that the brain needs to focus for longer, to get into flow states and to deliver creative insights. Chocolate has been shown to improve memory, learning, prevent cognitive decline.

And it was known as the food of the gods among Maya and Aztecs. They fed to their shamans to help to connect to the higher realm faster.

Who knows, maybe there’s some ancient wisdom to it.

Some compounds in chocolate bind to the same receptors as active compounds in marijuana do 😊 Maybe that’s why it’s such a bliss to eat a piece!

Best choice: 100% of darkness!

HERE you can read more about a Focused Breakfast I recommend.

Focus and Flow with better food choices.