Lizandra Vega

Embracing the mentally and physically demanding task of interviewing for a job can seem like competing in an Ironman competition. Juggling everyday professional and personal responsibilities around interviews is exhausting and draining. Caught in this frenzy, you may forget about fueling your body and mind through healthy eating choices and physical activity.

Picture this: You arrive at your interview on an empty stomach; when the employer engages you in conversation, the growling noises of your stomach compete to answer on your behalf. Already your interview is off to a shaky start. Ignoring the need to replenish yourself properly is a colossal mistake. Read on and take note of smart and healthy consumption choices that will stimulate you and get you on your way to landing the job.

On the eve of your interview:

• Refrain from alcohol consumption to ensure restful sleep.

• Avoid anything that would interfere with your sleep pattern, such as eating too late.

On the morning of the interview, you should:

• Eat to preserve even blood sugar levels, which aid in increasing energy and staying alert.

• Avoid or significantly reduce your caffeine intake to minimize interview jitters.

• Work out to release anxieties (a minimum of 30 minutes daily of moderate to vigorous activity as per the USDA’s MyPyramid system).

Ten ways to jump-start your day, everyday:

• Nourish your mind with high-fiber foods such as bananas, pears, apples, nuts and whole grain oats.

• Wake up and maintain concentration by combining a protein (eggs, egg whites or peanut butter) that keeps you satisfied with a whole grain carbohydrate (whole wheat toast, cracked wheat, brown rice).

• Maintain regular bowel functions with insoluble fiber found in vegetables, fresh fruits, nuts, and seeds. Insoluble fiber requires adequate fluid intake, so stay well hydrated.

• Improve your memory by consuming foods with high levels of Omega 3 (salmon, trout, herring) or adding it as a dietary supplement (1,000 milligrams per day).

• Include zinc (fish, beef, and poultry) in your diet, which may increase your immune system and minimize mood swings.

• Consume antioxidants founds in fruits and vegetables (the beta carotene found in carrots and sweet potatoes keeps skin healthy, and the magnesium found in bananas relaxes muscles and clears fatigue).

• Build strength by drinking low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk, which is rich in calcium and vitamin D.

• Avoid simple carbohydrates (donuts, white bread), which are absorbed in the bloodstream too quickly, causing a “fast dive” in your energy.

• Calm your nerves by including fatty acids found in fish.

• Add a daily multivitamin.

Adapted from "The Image of Success" by Lizandra Vega, Amacom.