When do you long for a cup of coffee? A candy bar? A second cup of coffee? The answer will tell you when your energy tends to dip. Here’s what Pam Peeke, M.D., author of Body for Life for Women (Rodale, $27, www.amazon.com), suggests you do to recharge. If it’s…

11 a.m.

You’ve been vertical for mere hours, yet you’re longing for rest. That may be because your blood-sugar levels have dropped since breakfast. You may also be coming down from a morning caffeine high.
The Fix: If you typically wait more than four hours between breakfast and lunch, have a midmorning snack that’s 200 to 300 calories or less — a piece of low-fat cheese on a cracker, PB and J on one slice of whole-grain bread, or eight ounces of low-fat yogurt with a teaspoon of sliced almonds. And limit your morning coffee to one cup (see Get an Energy Boost from Drinking Fluids).

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Food coma — your body is burning energy to digest your lunch, which means more blood flow to your stomach, less to your brain and the rest of your body.
The Fix: First, if you tend to eat big lunches, have smaller ones. Keep meals below 500 calories, and go easy on your intake of fats, since your body works harder to break down fat than it does for protein and complex carbohydrates. Try a turkey sandwich instead of a hamburger, brothy soup and a piece of fruit instead of a bowl of pasta. Then take a walk after lunch to get your circulation going, or spend 15 minutes on an active task, like straightening up your office. Plan to have a small snack three hours or so after lunch to prevent a late-day energy lag.

5 p.m.

The day’s activities have worn you out and your body temperature has dropped, sending a signal to your brain that it’s time for rest.
The Fix: If you’re at home, play with the dog or clean up the living room. If you’re at work, walk down the hall to talk with a colleague rather than sending yet another e-mail. Moving around will increase your blood flow and give you more zip.