No detail is too small when you’re in the midst of a job hunt. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to decide what you’d wear to an interview, or what you’ll say when they ask, “Why should we hire you?”

By the same token, you want to bring your “A game” to every conversation. Knowing what to eat to encourage peak performance may be as important before an important meeting as it is when planning to run a marathon. Athletes know how to load up on all the right foods and how to hydrate on a regular basis, in addition to right before a big race or game. Think of your job hunt from a total body perspective.

Have you thought about the fact that there are foods to help you:

• Think clearly and maintain optimal brain function
• Solve problems
• Reduce anxiety, control stress, stay calm

Consider the following suggestions to help improve performance in these key areas:

Web MD suggests anti-oxidant-rich blueberries, omega-3 essential fatty acids such as salmon, and foods high in vitamin E, such as nuts and seeds such as “walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, filberts, almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and unhydrogenated nut butters such as peanut butter, almond butter, and tahini” may help improve brain functions. The article also suggests eating avocado to contribute to healthy blood flow and brain health. (Although, you may want to eat avocado in moderation, as Web MD notes they are high in calories.) Other good “brain foods” recommended in the article include: whole grains (oatmeal, breads, and brown rice), wheat germ, pomegranate juice, freshly brewed tea, and dark chocolate.

Health Ambition suggests walnuts (to increase oxygen to your brain), strawberries (for mental awareness), dark chocolate (for anti-oxidants) and drinking water (for better memory) to help improve your brain function.

Read the rest on my post at U.S. News & World Report.

photo by gezellig-girl.com