Do you ever drink or eat anything to help keep alert while you are working?

[MichaelCorfman]

Earlier today, a few of us working on the GPWA newsletter we were discussing different types of approaches taken to keep alert and focused at work. In the past, for example, we once ran the following poll:

Do you listen to music while you work?

But today our discussion turned to food and drink. Things like coffee, Red Bull, 5 hour energy and candy. Do you use any of these, or other food and drinks, to help keep yourself alert and focused on your work? Share what works best for you, and we welcome crazy stories of what you've tried (in the food and drink category, please) when you were tired and really needed to keep going.

Michael

[universal4]

When I first start the day I have my coffee...in fact this is actually more important that that stupid and un-necessary stuff like oxygen and breathing.....

Since I suffer from low blood sugar I usually keep a nutritional shake handy. I have tried a number of them, but the one I like the most is Walmart's brand (Equate - Nutritional Shake Plus) which is a generic version of Ensure.

This may not be the 100% best solution, but it contains 20 grams of sugar so I get the quick boost and it has 13 grams of protein....as well as a few other vitamins etc....and it is better than drinking a soda.

Rick
Universal4

[Anthony]

The day does not start without my morning coffee and usually that is all I need to get through the day.

Occasionally I will have a second cup of coffee in the afternoon if I really need a lift.

[vinism]

I used to drink Jolt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jolt_Cola) while studying for exams in school. Sugary doesn't begin to define. Thankfully, I gave up on that quickly. I don't drink coffee often, so when I need a dose of energy, that usually works. Or M&Ms.

[TravG]

The day cannot start without coffee. I'll drink a pot myself while updating stats and writing a post or two before anything else gets accomplished.

[F-L-C]

Coffee, tea, Coffee, tea

[iGamingWriter]

I really can't do simulants - half a can of coke in the morning has enough caffeine in it to ensure i won't sleep the next night.

[baldidiot]

I have tea in the morning with the wife before she goes to work (proper 'builders' tea - none of this weird fruity/herbal stuff that people seem to try and give me when I'm in the states), and usually a can of soda at some point in the day.

If I need picking up in day I'll often have a quick shower in the afternoon - works a treat (one of the benefits of working from home!).

[ocreditor]

I start with tea in the morning and then a coffee after I've eaten - that gets me going for the day. After lunchtime I sometimes have a bit of energy slump so I often have another coffee then too. Failing that I find that a glass of iced water wakes me up!

[SlotsAff]

I drink coffee in the afternoon and tea just after I finish work - I drink about 4 litres of water a day (which works for me)

[AE-Martyn]

Red bull for me but only with Vodka.

If I'm having a sleepy day a can of Monster goes down well but it gives me the jitters.

[casinobonusguy]

I have 2 cups of Coffee and a glass of water before I start my computer in the morning.For the rest of the day I drink water only and eat fresh fruits and veggies through the day.Usually at 3pm I will take a break and have a tea and I have family time from 3-8pm every day.Once my daughter goes to bed I usually do 2-3 hours of programming or some emails.My vice is I have to get a sandwich about 11ish with some herbal tea and then i am working til 2am .
Since my daughter was born 20 years ago I can get by with 5 hours of sleep a day,before that i had to be in bed at 10pm to get up for 7:30 lol

[Renee]

I have a coffee when I get to the office, but it's not to pick me up. It's just because I like the taste. I could easily go without it, and do on most weeks.
I find exercising first thing in the morning keeps me wide awake all day, as well as drinking plenty of water and having a small snack between breakfast and lunch, and between lunch and dinner. I don't really need a lot of sleep to function. I often find myself still laying in bed awake at midnight even if I have been up since 5.30am.

[p.arena]

There was a time where I would work thru the night until 10am the following day, sleep 4 or 5 hrs and then start working again. Would occasionally have a can of V or Redbull but usually didn't need it once I'd gotten used to that routine. I usually don't stay up past 2am now though except for weekends.

[Maria F]

I just splash my face with cold water every so often. I gave up coffee about 6 month ago and I don’t drink energy drinks, so I just drink water. When I lose focus, then I find something new to do.

[freebetking]

awesome amounts of caffeine tablets, usually completely wired by about 9.30am, earphones on, liquid dnb.....lets av it. 6 glasses of water, have a dabble on the pull up bar and do some weights to keep the creative juices flowing...

[grem]

Always eating before starting work. That means having breakfast

[clarar]

We have a drink in Argentina that is called MATE: http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/09...argentina.html

But since I'm abroad, sometimes its hard to find where to buy this regional stuff so... I stay alive on coffee.

[bboyspyder]

A big cup of coffee gets me in the morning. In the afternoon I usually have some candy and tea or coffee depending how much do I need to be focused.

I never drink Red Bull or all of the other energy drinks when I actually need to be focused. The energy drinks are great for keeping you awake, gaining a little bit of energy, strength (I may drink them if I need to breakdance and feel like ****) but can not keep me focused.

[casinoplanet]

I'm a real coffee-aholic and drink far too much of it