Food for energy

Choosing food for energy and alertness all day

In the latest of our occasional series on

snacks for home workers,

coach Susan Tomlinson told me about

planning and eating food for energy

throughout the day.

Hi Susan, people seem to divide into those who can’t stand the thought of breakfast and those who regard it as the best meal of the day. Where do you stand?
For me breakfast is essential and a cooked breakfast at the weekend is a real treat – I love kippers! In the winter I eat porridge topped with nuts, honey and dates. In the warmer months I start the day with Rude Health muesli, toast with honey and sometimes fruit or a green juice.

What’s your beverage of choice for a home working snack, and how do you make it?
I don’t like the taste or smell of coffee! Clipper organic tea gets me going first thing in the morning, followed by lots of cups of herbal tea by Pukka (my favourites at the moment are Revitalise and Cleanse).

Then if I am working from home all day I’ll make a smoothie after lunch with bananas, almond milk, spinach, Organic Burst maca powder and spirulina. I find this helps me get over the post lunch slump and the desire to go back to bed for a quick nap.

Do you have set times for meals or keep working until you feel hungry?
I do stop for lunch which is usually a salad or soup followed by yoghurt or fruit. Also, I like to step outside for some fresh air. Dinner is usually about 7 pm. So, yes I have a routine and take regular breaks, for meals and snacks, as it helps me maintain my energy levels and mental alertness, which is essential for my work with my business coaching clients.

Do you ever suggest meeting clients for lunch, or would you rather keep food and business apart?
I take my VIP coaching clients out for lunch at lovely venues – it’s a treat for both of us.

How do you organise menu planning and food shopping around work?
Able and Cole deliver a vegetable and salad box every week – it encourages me to get creative with what gets delivered! In addition I order items through Ocado based on recipes from Honestly Healthy: Eat with your body in mind, the alkaline way, by Natasha Corrett and Vicki Edgson, and The Medicinal Chef: Eat Your Way to Better Health, by Dale Pinnock. I avoid supermarket shopping, whenever possible, which means having to be very organised around food.

What’s your favourite food or drink treat after a hard day’s work?
My treat after a hard day’s work is Green and Blacks’ dark chocolate. Occasionally, I will have a glass of white wine and very occasionally a gin and tonic with plenty of ice if it’s a hot day!

Susan is a business coach and mentor who specialises in working with female entrepreneurs and solo professionals who are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to build a successful business that supports the lifestyle of their choice.

Susan has also opened her trusty LK Bennett bag to show us what she carries when she’s working away from home – and there’s a healthy snack in there too!