I just passed Washington Park and was headed towards Greenwich Village in New York City, searching for a hot coffee and breakfast after being up since 4 AM.
The apartment is hot and steamy, and New York City is bustling. It’s alive. We leave the apartment at 7:00 am to get some fresh air.
I’m running the corner for my husband as he has his first fight in 10 years. We know the protocol, and I’ve wrapped his hands countless times to familiarize myself with it.
I have been waiting for years to go to the Gleason’s gym in Brooklyn. My husband has been training nonstop for two months and entered the Gleason’s masters tournaments.
A lot of preparation goes into it from the moment he wakes up. We make sure he is hydrated, has coffee, and has his meals planned for the day.
There are several things that all athletes should consider when preparing their bodies for their sport, especially in boxing.
Training hard and eating clean to ensure that you weigh in properly is essential. But many details build up to create your fighter.
When I look at a fighter’s profile or somebody looking to get healthier, I try to utilize superfoods. I find ways to enhance their food instead of taking away a particular food. With that being said, these are the top five foods I would like all of my fighters to consider.
Top 5 Foods to Help Boost Productivity and Professional Performance
Health has not always been available to me when I was growing up. We had a minimal budget for food. I was a child of processed food and a happy one at that!
Processed foods are designed to keep us addicted to them. It is no wonder that breaking the cycle of unhealthy habits is psychological and can be really challenging to let go of childhood memories.
In that regard, here are my top 5 foods to help enhance your productivity and professional performance in your daily life.
1. Apples
You always find me with apples. Many years ago, my chiropractor told me that eating an apple a day would benefit my mental health more than I thought.
I didn’t even look it up and just took his advice, and I have been eating apples ever since. My life has definitely improved. Apples are also a rich source of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant.
Antioxidants help combat free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can lead to the development of chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
2. Figs
These are incredibly rich in fiber and high in iron, boosting energy fruit. As a vegan, I find that my body doesn’t absorb as much iron as I wish, and I’m prone to iron deficiency.
Dried figs are a fantastic source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron. They give you a natural source of energy in addition to vitamin B6. If you want to prevent cravings, try figs to offer yourself a healthier alternative to process sugar.
3. Bell Peppers
Bell peppers have an incredibly long-standing history and were introduced to Europe in the middle ages by Spanish and Portuguese explorers. They are bright and beautiful and have a good amount of vitamin C.
They also have incredible cancer-fighting plant sterols. So, if you are trying to optimize your metabolism, try adding red bell peppers to your next salad.
4. Garlic
I am not a meat eater, but did you know some meats cooked at high temperatures can be carcinogenic? But when you add garlic, it helps reduce the production of cancer-promoting chemicals!
Not only has garlic been used for thousands of years to help make an impact on our bodies, but it is also a preventative for blood clots and heart disease and can help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
It is a natural antibiotic and antifungal agent. Garlic May leave a strange taste in your mouth, but it will definitely keep you healthy!
5. Chickpeas
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are high in folic acid and choline. Choline is vital for fertility and has anti-inflammatory effects.
I don’t think I can live without them, hands down. They are my favorite source of protein and fiber. Not only does it help keep me regular. Chickpeas are so tasty.
They have helped my digestive disorders and irritable bowel syndrome.
The Takeaway
I hope you think about this list the next time you’re at the store. I designed it to give you small outlets to look at food differently. I want you to look at food as a way to heal your body, maintain functionality, and improve your gut and mind.
When I think about food, I get feelings of elation, knowing that we are so privileged to be able to choose what we eat to cook for our families and be in loving energy.
Food has healing powers, and the ones that cook it are a healing light!
Thank you for reading. Let me know in the comments what you think of these foods, and also, feel free to talk to me about other foods you find amazing!
Kimbo Rose
