EMBRACING THE
mentally and physically demanding task of interviewing for
a job can seem like competing in an Ironman competition. Juggling every-
day professional and personal responsibilities around interviews is
exhausting and draining. Your objective is to get through the process and
find employment. Caught in this frenzy, you can often forget about fuel-
ing your body and mind through healthy eating choices and moderate to
vigorous physical activity, causing you to wind up even more tired and
stressed. As important as it is for you to reach your objectives, it is equally
vital to maintain yourself in order to complete the interviewing process
and carry out the duties and responsibilities you’ll be assigned once you do
land a job. As an added bonus, you will radiate confidence and fortitude.
I know, there are times when you may feel like all of the odds are against
you and you just dont have the strength or the time to think about what
8
Food for Thought
Eating Well to Endure
the Interview Marathon
To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art. —François de La Rochefoucauld
(French author)
youre eating. This is precisely when nourishing yourself well will help you
battle feelings of defeat. Like many busy people these days, you may wake
up in the morning and find you’re not really hungry, so a cup of coffee
becomes your complete breakfast. You arrive at your interview on an
empty stomach and when I engage you in conversation, the growling
noises of your stomach compete to answer on your behalf. In the midst of
gastric rumbles, you hold your stomach with embarrassment and try to
gain composure. It’s too late; your concentration is broken and your only
salvation is the glass of water I’ve offered you just before we settled down
to talk. You’ve gotten yourself off to a shaky start, during a time when all
of your resources should be used to your advantage.
Ignoring the need to replenish yourself properly is a colossal mistake,
one you should by no means replicate given the abundance of choices.
Read on and take note of smart and healthy consumption choices bound
to physically and emotionally stimulate you enough so you can sail
through the gateways of gainful employment.
A Rainbow of Possibilities
The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, a U.S. Department of
Agriculture organization formed to endorse dietary knowledge, uses the
MyPyramid Food Guidance System (www.mypyramid.gov) to classify the
five food groups, as well as oils, discretionary calories (leisure foods), and
physical activity. Through this system, colors are designated to each food
group, encouraging you to eat from the rainbow.
Orange
Grains
Green
Vegetables
Red
Fruits
Ye l l o w
Oils
Blue
Milk
Purple
Meat and Beans
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
/ 115
The recommended daily intake of each depends on your age, gender,
and level of physical activity, and I encourage you to find a qualified nutri-
tionist through the American Dietetic Association (www.eatright.org) if
you need assistance with customizing a diet that focuses on weight loss and
general health. For the purpose of this chapter, I write about general rec-
ommendations for the specific purpose of improving your interviewing
stamina. Therefore, the following information is not intended to consti-
tute an authoritative statement under Food and Drug Administration rules
and regulations.
You’re Not a “Loser”
In my quest to research valuable information to guide you through your
pursuit, I contacted someone whose expertise is turning everyday people
into “losers. Cheryl Forberg, RD, is the award-winning chef and nutri-
tionist for NBC’s The Biggest Loser and has cowritten the eating plan for
the show. She is a New York Times best-selling author, having contributed
to eleven books, including The Biggest Loser: The Weig ht Loss Program
(Rodale, 2005); The Biggest Loser Complete Calorie Counter (Rodale, 2006);
The Biggest Loser 30-Day Jump Start (Rodale, 2009); and Positively Ageless:
A 28-Day Plan for a Younger, Slimmer, Sexier You (Rodale, 2008). Cheryl’s
recommendations for preparing for an interview are practical and simple
to remember.
On the eve of your interview, you should:
Refrain from alcohol consumption to ensure restful sleep.
Avoid anything that would interfere with your sleep pattern, such
as eating too late.
Drink water to maintain optimal hydration (at least eight glasses
daily, as recommended by the Food and Nutrition Board).
Avoid beans and legumes that can cause gassiness (especially if
they’re not a part of your regular diet).
116 /
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