Energy drinks and top ramen may sound very familiar to you as a CEO under 30. However, just because you can live off of highly caffeinated and “just add water and microwave” meals, doesn’t mean that you should. Unhealthy habits will catch up to you!
Your business goal may be to rise to the top of your market, but you also want to dominate and sustain your success at the top. This takes greatness. To create a great company, you need to be a great leader, the very best version of yourself. This starts with what you eat. We are what we eat, as they say.
Start-up founders are familiar with the long hours and supernatural energy needed to take a concept and turn it into reality. Many sacrifices have to be made to truly see your dream come true. It is sad and all too common that our health is often sacrificed right along side our social life and savings account as we build our brand or entity. Does it really have to be this way to start a business? Honesty, it does not.
As a registered and licensed dietitian, and the owner of nutrition services company Healthy Grocery Girl, my niche and passion is working with busy people. One of favorite type of clients, is the busy business owner, because, that’s me! I know first hand the demands of schedule, the mental and physical energy, and financial limitations that can come with starting a business. So it really is a joy to help these type of people improve or maintain their health, so that they truly are fueled to fulfill their purpose and passions.
I commonly hear, “I don’t have time,” “It’s too expensive to eat healthy,” and “I travel a lot, so I need something quick and convenient”.
To me, these are not objections to eating healthy, rather just complaints. It takes time to master an obstacle, and as we know for the busy business owner, time is everything. That’s where I come in.
Three common suggestions I provide busy clients include:
1. Make a smoothie.
I make a green smoothie for myself everyday for breakfast. This is truly one of the fastest ways to consume high quality nutrition that is filling and also portable. It really only takes 3-5 minutes to make a smoothie, just as much time to drive through fast food! So really, there is no excuse. Worried about clean up? Use a magic bullet or ninja blender, in which you blend and drink from the same portable cup. And cost? It actually costs less time and money to make a smoothie from home than it does to get in the car and drive to your favorite fast food joint.
2. Keep inexpensive, non-perishable, and nourishing items in arms reach.
If you are, “in-the-zone” and can’t break away, but are starting to feel your clarity and sharpness dwindling, reach for powerhouse snacks such as almonds, walnuts, natural nut butter packets, and dried fruit (with no added sugar). I shop in the bulk section and keep these types of snacks in my office desk, car, and purse (or backpack, gym bag, messenger bag).
3. We often think about food when we are wanting to be healthier, but water is vital for life.
Just drinking water alone can make you more alert, improve digestion, and boost energy. Try drinking 16 ounces of water the next time you feel tired, before reaching for caffeine. Sometimes all you needed, was a little hydration.
Let’s not forget the confidence that comes with being healthier. Long hours at a computer or working on a project, mixed with processed foods high in fat and sodium, makes you feel gross. Gross is not exactly empowering. As a CEO you are the example of the company, even if it’s just you! You set the tone. The health of the CEO trickles down through the company, effecting the overall health of your team.
As much as you want to put all your heart and soul into your business, you still have to put you first. Because, you are the biggest asset to your company!
Megan Roosevelt is a fun loving foodie, Registered and Licensed Dietitian, Nutrition Consultant, Media Spokesperson, Public Speaker and dynamic entrepreneur as the founder and CEO of Healthy Grocery Girl LLC. She is also a regular nutrition expert for ABC’s KATU- AM Northwest Morning Show. Twitter: @hlthygrocerygrl and Web: healthygrocerygirl.com.
