Life is full of big moments. And even the most exciting come with
stress. Simple tweaks in eating habits can help you prepare for
different situations.
You’ve got a job interview
Work on your résumé, but also your diet. Dr. Gary Wenk, author of “Your Brain on Food,” recommends “precursor-loading” foods: “Their purpose is to bias the function of the brain so that we perform better over the long term. Try tuna (it has tryptophan) and fava beans.
You’re having a ‘big’ day
Whatever this may be — an exam, a new job — you need brainpower. Seaweed is rich in iodine, which staves off fatigue and depression. And the neurotransmitter acetylcholine improves memory. It’s derived from choline, a B vitamin found in yolks and liver. Yum!
You have a bad hangover
The morning after, you’re missing important, electrically charged minerals, aka electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sodium). And you’re dehydrated. Drink a glass of pure coconut water: It contains the same five electrolytes found in human blood.
You’re going for an intense workout
Avoid pasta. “Start the day with healthy fats — such as salmon and a handful of nuts — that stimulate the function of neurotransmitter receptors, particularly dopamine, responsible for driving your energy levels,” says fitness expert Lee Mullins. Apples and berries can also help.
You’re on a first date
If you’re just getting to know one another, have a glass of wine to lower your inhibitions and get the conversati-on going, says relationship expert Ian Kerner. “You want to eat something simple, like sushi, that will allow you to talk without distraction. You also want to eat something light that doesn’t fill you up or slow you down, such as chicken salad,” he adds. “For dessert, go for something sugary, like a mango sorbet, to get a boost of energy, and a coffee, as long as it doesn’t make you feel too jittery.”
