What to Eat Before the Big Interview

Tea, raw veggies, mushrooms and seaweed salad are the go-to foods if you want to be in the best shape to impress a potential boss, according to registered dietitian Cynthia Sass, co-author of 'Cinch! Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches.' She talked about the best foods to eat from a work-place perspective on CBS's 'The Early Show On Saturday Morning.'

Sass says the night before the big interview, you should enjoy a nice seaweed salad. "It's incredibly rich in iodine and one of the few sources of this important mineral. Too little iodine can trigger fatigue and depression; just a quarter cup packs over 275 percent of the daily value. It's also a good source of magnesium, which can improve sleep."

Then when you get up, Sass advices drinking tea. "A Japanese study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, conducted with over 40,000 people, found that levels of psychological stress were 20 percent lower in those who drank at least five cups of green tea per day compared to those who drank less than one cup per day."

If your interview is mid-morning or mid-afternoon, what should you snack on? "Raw veggies with hummus and a glass of ice water," according to Sass. "Produce is loaded with water and chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that counter the effects of stress. In a British food and mood study, over 70 percent of the participants reported that upping their water and produce intakes improved their mood ... and reduced panic attacks and anxiety."

If you're going to eat lunch before the big event, Sass advises chowing down on a portobello burger. "Mushrooms are rich in selenium, which studies have linked a deficiency of to a higher risk of depression, anxiety and fatigue. And they're the only plant source of natural vitamin D, a key nutrient that most Americans don't get enough of."

So much for the traditional last-minute rush of sugar and caffeine. Showing up wired and jumpy, then crashing mid-interview, is probably not the best way to impress a potential employer. But some would argue that showing up hungry and unsatisfied isn't, either.