Feat: An overseas flight
You've downloaded a bunch of movies and games onto your iPad. Unfortunately, there's no app for jet lag.
Fuel: A smoothie, a bowl of soup — or nothing at all
Why it works: "The dry, recycled air and the altitude are dehydrating, which can make you feel tired," says Elizabeth Boham, MD, RD, a nutritionist in Lenox, Massachusetts. "Fitting in as many liquids as possible can help counteract that." Try to time your last preflight meal according to when you land: Scientists at Harvard Medical School found that you may be able to avoid jet lag by fasting for at least 16 hours before eating breakfast in your new time zone. "Your body's circadian rhythm is dictated by when you sleep and eat, so if you reset both, you'll be less likely to feel groggy when you get to your destination," Dr. Boham explains.
Fuel: A smoothie, a bowl of soup — or nothing at all
Why it works: "The dry, recycled air and the altitude are dehydrating, which can make you feel tired," says Elizabeth Boham, MD, RD, a nutritionist in Lenox, Massachusetts. "Fitting in as many liquids as possible can help counteract that." Try to time your last preflight meal according to when you land: Scientists at Harvard Medical School found that you may be able to avoid jet lag by fasting for at least 16 hours before eating breakfast in your new time zone. "Your body's circadian rhythm is dictated by when you sleep and eat, so if you reset both, you'll be less likely to feel groggy when you get to your destination," Dr. Boham explains.
Feat: A big presentation
You need to stay focused and be able to think on your feet if your boss throws you a curveball or PowerPoint freezes.
Fuel: Half a turkey sandwich, coffee and a stick of gum
Why it works: A small coffee will help you focus without delivering a huge jolt to your system. "Caffeine peaks within 30 to 60 minutes after consumption, so time your beverage accordingly," says Leslie Bonci, RD, the director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a FITNESS advisory board member. "And the turkey provides protein, giving you some slow-burning energy without having too much food in your stomach. Any protein will do as long as it's lean — fatty foods take longer to digest, and sometimes food doesn't sit well when you're nervous." End your meal with a stick of gum: Researchers at Cardiff University found that chewing the fruit or mint kind can help improve alertness, enhance your mood, and speed up reaction time.
Fuel: Half a turkey sandwich, coffee and a stick of gum
Why it works: A small coffee will help you focus without delivering a huge jolt to your system. "Caffeine peaks within 30 to 60 minutes after consumption, so time your beverage accordingly," says Leslie Bonci, RD, the director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a FITNESS advisory board member. "And the turkey provides protein, giving you some slow-burning energy without having too much food in your stomach. Any protein will do as long as it's lean — fatty foods take longer to digest, and sometimes food doesn't sit well when you're nervous." End your meal with a stick of gum: Researchers at Cardiff University found that chewing the fruit or mint kind can help improve alertness, enhance your mood, and speed up reaction time.
Feat: Slipping into a two-piece
When you're about to brave a bikini, you don't want to look bloated.
Fuel: A spinach salad or a banana
Why it works: Consuming 200 milligrams or more of potassium helps flush bloat-causing fluids from your system, explains Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, the author of Doctor's Detox Diet. A large banana contains nearly 500 milligrams of the mineral, and a cup of fresh spinach packs more than 800. On beach day, just steer clear of sources like cruciferous veggies (think broccoli and cauliflower), beans and dried fruit, "which contain excessive amounts of fiber that can lead to gas," Dr. Gerbstadt says.
Fuel: A spinach salad or a banana
Why it works: Consuming 200 milligrams or more of potassium helps flush bloat-causing fluids from your system, explains Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, the author of Doctor's Detox Diet. A large banana contains nearly 500 milligrams of the mineral, and a cup of fresh spinach packs more than 800. On beach day, just steer clear of sources like cruciferous veggies (think broccoli and cauliflower), beans and dried fruit, "which contain excessive amounts of fiber that can lead to gas," Dr. Gerbstadt says.
Feat: A night out sans hangover
Keep the gimlets with your girlfriends; lose the morning-after repercussions.
Fuel: A tuna sandwich or a sushi roll
Why it works: "Just having some food in your system helps slow your body's absorption of alcohol and gives your natural stomach acids something to digest instead of irritating the empty stomach lining, so that nausea is less likely," Dr. Gerbstadt says. What's more, selenium, which is found mainly in fish, may lessen hangover symptoms like vomiting and headache. But the mineral doesn't do much to prevent drinking's other unsavory side effects, including drowsiness and fatigue. Those are caused in part by dehydration, so offset each cocktail you order with a glass of water or club soda.
Fuel: A tuna sandwich or a sushi roll
Why it works: "Just having some food in your system helps slow your body's absorption of alcohol and gives your natural stomach acids something to digest instead of irritating the empty stomach lining, so that nausea is less likely," Dr. Gerbstadt says. What's more, selenium, which is found mainly in fish, may lessen hangover symptoms like vomiting and headache. But the mineral doesn't do much to prevent drinking's other unsavory side effects, including drowsiness and fatigue. Those are caused in part by dehydration, so offset each cocktail you order with a glass of water or club soda.
eat: Getting him hot but not bothered
You would like this date to end with a passionate, goose-bump-inducing kiss, not a kiss-off.
Fuel: Milk or peppermint tea
Why it works: If you ate a big plate of pesto pasta right before Mr. Big texted to ask whether you had plans, down some dairy. According to Ohio State University researchers, milk reduces the presence of allyl methyl sulfide — a compound in garlic that makes your breath smell bad — by half. "Just be sure to brush your teeth and the back of your tongue afterward," advises physician Sheri Emma, MD, who works with Patti Stanger of Bravo TV's The Millionaire Matchmaker. "Milk contains natural sugars that get digested by the bacteria in your gut and produce sulfur, which can also lead to smelly breath." Are butterflies getting the best of you? Peppermint not only masks odor, but has also been shown to aid digestion and soothe an upset stomach, Dr. Gerbstadt says.
Fuel: Milk or peppermint tea
Why it works: If you ate a big plate of pesto pasta right before Mr. Big texted to ask whether you had plans, down some dairy. According to Ohio State University researchers, milk reduces the presence of allyl methyl sulfide — a compound in garlic that makes your breath smell bad — by half. "Just be sure to brush your teeth and the back of your tongue afterward," advises physician Sheri Emma, MD, who works with Patti Stanger of Bravo TV's The Millionaire Matchmaker. "Milk contains natural sugars that get digested by the bacteria in your gut and produce sulfur, which can also lead to smelly breath." Are butterflies getting the best of you? Peppermint not only masks odor, but has also been shown to aid digestion and soothe an upset stomach, Dr. Gerbstadt says.
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