FIT FOR LEADERSHIP: SUGAR's IMPACT

FIT FOR LEADERSHIP SERIES
The Leadership Edge
Part 3 of 3

Some years ago, I had the good fortune of meeting Linda Prout, nutritionist and author of Live in the Balance. We had a chance to explore how our LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS is directly influenced by what we EAT. Imagine that! In June and July, I wrote two of three posts on this topic. If you missed the them, read #1 first about how food can boost your energy for leadership , read #2 second about foods that clam ANGER. This is PART 3 of Linda Prout's wonderful message. A link to her website is also below:

Eroding Community With Sugar

Refined sugar-rich treats such as cookies and candy, are another additive that can undermine leaders and community. Sugar can exacerbate an angry disposition, plus rob you of energy and interfere with short-term memory. Research at Texas A & M University show when sweets are cut from the diet, moods such as depression improve and energy levels go up. Studies also show a sugary snack, such as soft drinks, cookies, cake or candy, causes adrenaline levels to rise and blood sugar levels to plummet. With blood sugar levels low, one's energy, recall and ability to think rationally drops. The rise in adrenaline leaves a feeling of aggression: a formula for mistakes, foul moods and even crime.

Annemarie Colbin, in her book Food and Healing, points out that cultures with more refined sugars in their diets are more individualistic than socially oriented. She says eating excess refined white sugar leads us to feel "excessively individualistic," to the point of "alienation and criminality." My clients often tell me they need to nap or just be alone when they've eating too much sugar. They report new energy to take on projects and play a more active role in their community and families' lives when they get the sugar out of their diet. Eliminating sugar can also help ease PMS, including irritability, depression and mood swings. To calm your mood and increase the energy necessary to lead and build community, reduce your intake of alcohol and refined sugars. Replace "Frosted Mini-Wheats®", jam, Pop Tarts®, sweet rolls, donuts and other sugary foods at breakfast with protein-rich eggs, lox on toast, lean chicken sausage or oatmeal with skim milk and nuts. To ward off afternoon sugar cravings, have a large lunch rich with fish, chicken, beans or tofu and vegetables. Choose fruits for dessert or snacks.

Foods To Boost Energy and Calm Your Leadership Spirit
---Cooked leafy greens: broccoli, spinach, kale, chard, collards, mustard greens, asparagus
---Fish
---Chicken
---Eggs
---Beans
---Soy Products

A diet rich in vegetables, beans, tofu, fish, poultry and lean meats with moderate amounts of whole grains, is generally the ideal diet for lifting energy as well as calming the spirit and reducing anger and agitation. Savoring such meals with friends, associates and family members not only builds health, it builds bonds that build community.

At this time in history, the world needs the best in leadership from us all. How we eat and care for ourselves can make a difference.

WHAT OTHER IDEAS DO YOU HAVE?

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the LEAD

Learn more about Linda Prout's work at her LifeShift website.

Comments

[testosterone booster side effects]

Good info. Lucky me I found your site by accident (stumbleupon). I have saved it for later!

[Raspberry Ketones]

Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.

[memphis Seo Review]

Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!