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Ask HN: Do you use food as a performance enhancing drug when coding?

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Re: Ask HN: Do you use food as a performance enhancing drug when coding?

#31

Post by surume »

semireg wrote: post #7

This reminds me of the web comic from Toothpaste for Dinner: “dopamine and serotonin, technically the only two things you enjoy.” Maybe when your motivation for work dries up you have learned to replace the good feeling chemicals by binging a new reward: food. Especially true if you have been neglecting (starving) your body, not exercising. I think you could easily find this habit devastating to your long term health…

Yikes.... but probably correct. It's more that I've been slogging at work for 4 days and am just done.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use food as a performance enhancing drug when coding?

#36

Post by vmurthy »

Believe it or not, having a very light stomach gives a big boost to energy levels and alertness. On the inevitable days I feel very dull (mostly afternoons) I follow yoga nidra practises for about 20 minutes ( it’s on YouTube. Pick any ) . It’s also called NSDR ( non sleep deep relaxation ) if you’re a fan of Huberman

Re: Ask HN: Do you use food as a performance enhancing drug when coding?

#37

Post by TurkishPoptart »

vmurthy wrote: post #36

Believe it or not, having a very light stomach gives a big boost to energy levels and alertness. On the inevitable days I feel very dull (mostly afternoons) I follow yoga nidra practises for about 20 minutes ( it’s on YouTube. Pick any ) . It’s also called NSDR ( non sleep deep relaxation ) if you’re a fan of Huberman

When I do this I just end up falling asleep and napping repeatedly on the couch.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use food as a performance enhancing drug when coding?

#38

Post by Quinzel »

I don’t think this is healthy. I have a similar experience when writing where my body/brain just doesn’t want to work anymore - however instead of eating, I go for a run with music that has a fast tempo and a lot of bass. I think my brain just likes a change and the exercise + music is an activity I like. Maybe your brain is just looking for some novelty to break up the monotony of work. It doesn’t have to be food, it could be something else - but should be something that you enjoy. While indulging in fave foods sometimes is not a problem - regular binge eating may have some negative health consequences later down the track so if you can mix it up, and maybe not do it as a weekly thing that would probably be good for your overall health and wellbeing

Re: Ask HN: Do you use food as a performance enhancing drug when coding?

#39

Post by reitanqild »

jasfi wrote: post #28
reitanqild wrote: post #24

I have had two problems that I have solved or tried to solve by changing my food consumption habits: 1. drowsiness around and after lunch time which sounds related to your problems even if mine where just from lunch and onwards and every day of the week 2. a feeling of being jittery (not worried about anything particular but a strong feeling that I should do something, so strong that I have a hard time doing anything…

I'd say your body can fully utilize your lunch, because it needs those nutrients and you're in a depleted state just before you have it. If you want to, you could try a small, but protein heavy/carb light breakfast. That can help boost your metabolism.

My problem is if I start eating I feel I have to go on until I am satisfied.

So small breakfasts doesn't work, it often merely triggers my hunger even if it is just egg and bacon.

So my solution is just to skip it all together. If food isn't on the agenda my body totally accepts that.

Re: Ask HN: Do you use food as a performance enhancing drug when coding?

#40

Post by aristofun »

Im far from being an expert in this matter, but all signals ive got so far for the past 30 years point to few heuristics:

- having more sugar and more calories intake in general (beyond minimum required by your body) is correlated with having less life span and having more chances of developing severe health issues

- there are no longterm health or lifestyle fixes (mental health included) that are based on eating habits only (the diet can be only a part of the process, and often not even the major one). Despite what pharma and marketers want you to believe

- usually your eating adapts to your lifestyle, behavior and even values, and not the opposite

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