AN IMPORTANT MEETING

PEOPLE ARE NOT CARS, as you’ve probably noticed. We run on an enormous variety of fuels, and some are better suited to certain jobs than others. Load up on the right stuff, and you can turbocharge your creativity, memory, energy, and more. We presented nutrition experts with a variety of situations and asked what they’d eat to best prepare for each challenge. WHAT TO HAVE: Tea with a little milk WHY: “Green, black, and oolong tea contain the amino acid L-theanine, which passes the blood-brain barrier to bring on mental calmness and ease anxiety while creating alertness, making it the perfect tonic before an important meeting,” say Tammy Lakatos Shames and Lyssie Lakatos, registered dietitian nutritionists and authors of The Nutrition Twins’ Veggie Cure. “Additionally, the little boost of caffeine in the tea will give a mental edge without being enough to cause anxiety. The calcium in the milk will help to relax the muscles as well.”

BOUNCING BACK FROM A LATE NIGHT

WHAT TO HAVE: For breakfast, 16 ounces of water plus coffee or green tea, a hard-boiled or scrambled egg, a piece of fruit, and half a cup of oatmeal. For lunch, chicken breast, steamed broccoli, and black bean and quinoa salad. For dinner, salmon, steamed veggies, and brown rice. WHY: “Dehydration makes fatigue even worse, so starting your day with water will counteract that,” say Shames and Lakatos. “You want

to fuel with a mix of complex carbs, protein, and fiber—an egg, fruit, and oatmeal make the perfect combo.” The fiber-packed oatmeal may help you stay alert throughout the day, they say, citing a study showing that people who ate high-fiber cereal in the morning felt 10 percent less fatigued, possibly because the fiber keeps blood sugar and energy levels on an even keel for a longer time.

RAKING LEAVES

WHAT TO HAVE: Sprouted grain bread with coconut oil and avocado WHY: The carbohydrates in the bread will give you energy, explains Keri Glassman, RD, MS, founder of nutritiouslife.com. The avocado and oil pack a lot of fat, which will help you stay satisfied longer. (So none of those “I just need a snack break” excuses!)

A DAY OF ERRANDS

WHAT TO HAVE: Steel-cut oatmeal, egg whites, fruit, and nuts

WHY: Starting a long day with a good breakfast is key. “Try steel-cut oatmeal for long-acting, low-glycemic carbs and some egg whites or a protein shake for protein,” suggests David Greuner, MD, a cardiovascular