Problem #7: Mental fogginess

Cause: Skipping breakfast or not getting enough antioxidants (found in produce) and vitamin E (found in nuts, seeds and wheat germ) may leave you feeling mentally dull, or even contribute to impaired memory. Or your lack of focus may be due to an insufficient amount of iron in your diet, finds a Pennsylvania State University study.

Solution: Rise and shine with a healthy breakfast to prevent fading by lunchtime. Load up on foods rich in antioxidants, including fruits (especially cherries, red grapes, dried plums, raisins, berries, fresh plums and oranges) and vegetables (especially kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, beets and red bell peppers). Consider taking a multivitamin, plus a mineral supplement that contains vitamin E. And be sure to get the recommended 18 milligrams of iron a day.

Best foods to eat: Whole-grain waffles with frozen blueberries and maple syrup; hot whole-wheat cereal with wheat germ and raspberries; frozen grapes dusted with powdered sugar; equal parts toasted wheat germ, honey and peanut butter spread on whole-wheat toast; tossed green salad with roasted beets and/or pitted cherries; steamed chopped kale or turnips whipped into mashed "potatoes." For iron, go with foods like lean meat, poultry, and seafood.