How Bus Operators Can Improve Focus, Concentration with Food Choices
Operating a fixed-route bus in today’s distracted world requires high levels of focus and concentration. The brain must continually sift through loads of information during bus operation to determine what things can be ignored and what things pose a potential threat to our safety and well-being. Once the brain detects a potential hazard or threat, a specific response must occur to keep us from harm’s way. When our brains are forced to sustain this level of effort for long periods of time a great deal of energy is required.
Steve Mentzer・Long-time industry veteran specializing in driver safety and training
Operating a fixed-route bus in today’s distracted world requires high levels of focus and concentration.
The brain must continually sift through loads of information during bus operation to determine what things can be ignored and what things pose a potential threat to our safety and well-being. Once the brain detects a potential hazard or threat, a specific response must occur to keep us from harm’s way. When our brains are forced to sustain this level of effort for long periods of time a great deal of energy is required.
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As we all know, the energy required by the brain to function properly comes directly from our diets. In short, what we eat directly impacts our brain power.
Unfortunately, for many, eating well requires time and preparation that may not currently be part of their morning routine. Some of us do not function well in the morning, so for us, simply getting up, showered and out the door is a major accomplishment. My morning breakfast used to consist of four or five cups of black coffee and a couple of Pop Tarts. This is not the type of meal, and discipline that will lead to a successful day in passenger service.
The key to breakfast, and all meals, is balance. You want to eat some plant (tahini, quinoa) or animal protein (eggs, bacon, lean breakfast sausage), a little bit of fruit and whole grains (such as oatmeal). Whole grains are recommended because they have a low glucose index. Glucose in the bloodstream is the energy source for our brains. Foods with a low glucose index take a while for our bodies to process and so the release of sugar into the bloodstream is gradual, allowing us to remain mentally alert throughout the morning portion of our day.
You have to be careful with some cereals as they are made from grains that have been heavily processed and/or contain high levels of sugar. Cereals that contain lots of sugar (or lack whole grains) will cause your blood sugar to spike as they release their glucose very quickly. Our brains like sugar, so we may actually crave such cereals for breakfast to help get us going, however, the problem is that once this surge passes, our glucose levels drop quickly and so does our ability to concentrate. And, this causes us to want to eat something else to help bring our glucose levels back up.
One thing I’ve added to my morning breakfast that helps me concentrate is oatmeal sprinkled with blueberries. I am a recovering sugar addict, so I used to eat oatmeal that was measured as one part whole grains, two parts brown sugar. This is not the way to eat oatmeal for sustained concentration. Adding blueberries (and some skim milk) is one way to make oatmeal a bit more appealing without undoing the benefits by adding spoons of sugar. Try it, you might like it.
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Some nutritionists recommend drinking a protein shake to which you can add some fish oil, coconut oil or flaxseed oil. Fish is a great source of essential fatty acids and they also contain both EPA and DHA, which help fight cardiovascular disease. A recent study conducted in Norway indicated that subjects that added fish or fish oil to their diets performed substantially better on cognitive tests than they did before making this single dietary adjustment.
Evidence also suggests that avocados are very good for our brains. The problem here for me is texture… I don’t like the mush. I have spoken with many people that work avocados into their diet by adding it to their morning eggs, thin slicing it into their sandwiches or by adding it to salads. Guacamole anyone?
As for drinks, we probably are aware that while we are sleeping, we are not taking in any (or enough) fluids to prevent us from becoming a bit dehydrated by the time our morning alarms sounds. As a result, one of the first things we should do after we roll out of the sack is to drink at least one or two cups of water. I’m not suggesting you gulp two cups straight down, but try to take in some H2O before going for that first cup of coffee or glass of orange juice.
There are some who would suggest that OJ should be consumed in moderation as it contains high levels of sugar, so remember to use a small glass. You might also like to drink some milk in the morning. The reading I’ve been doing suggests that almond and soy milk are better options than dairy milk.
This next tidbit of information nearly caused me to weep in front of my children… For sustained concentration, you should limit the amount of coffee or caffeine in your daily diet. I can’t be a hypocrite here, so I will just note that there is information to suggest that caffeine should be limited or removed from our diets. I’m really trying to cut back, but I’m not sure I can eliminate coffee altogether from my breakfast line up.
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For many, breaking the reliance on breakfast foods that are heavy on carbs (which can be easily and quickly converted into sugar), such as donuts, bagels with cream cheese and pancakes with maple syrup, will take some effort and will power, but once your body starts getting used to a more balanced approach to breakfast -- things will get easier.
Next month, we’ll take a look at how to prepare our lunch boxes to ensure that we have proper nutrition available to fuel the rest of our day.
Steve Mentzer is manager, transit simulations, training & courseware, L-3 D.P. Associates.
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