Diet Power

Excerpts from "Power up your diet" in Fitness Magazine May 2005.

Tip: Eat a balanced meal two hours before a workout to ensure peak energy stores.

For exhaustion in the morning: Eat packaged oatmeal. It's quick, and loaded with a combination of simple and complex carbohydrates. It prevents blood-sugar spikes and it is low in fat and calories. It is also an excellent source of iron.

To increase sharpness: Eat tuna. Seafood is high in protein and low in fat, which helps with alertness. It also has the added bonus of omega-3 fatty acids which are needed for brain function.

To decrease stress: Eat carrots. The crunch provides serious relief. Stress increases muscular tension and heavy chewing can help relieve some of it. Any crunchy veggie or fruit will do.

To decrease insomnia: Eat air-popped popcorn. A light high-carbohydrate snack supplies the building blocks your brain needs to produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps you calm down. Leave off the butter, fat interferes with serotonin production.