In past years, during the hectic ten days of TIFF, I used to coast on passed hors d’oeuvres, vodka, and caffeine, then head for a 2AM binge at Poutini’s. This was a very very bad plan. By day five, I would have a permanent feeling of gut rot in the pit of my stomach, be coughing and completely drained from fatigue. Knowing how crazed a TIFF schedule can be, it’s easy to forget about veggies and protein. For real. Because let’s be honest, no real meals are happening. There’s no way you’re cooking anything: you have to behave like a hungry raccoon and raid the kitchen for frantic feeding while ensuring you get just the right mix to keep your energy up.

So, for industry peeps pounding the pavement, or for those of you planning on hitting up endless screenings and five parties a night, here is my guide to stocking your fridge and purse for TIFF 2011. 

– Hummus, ripped pita, bags of carrots, red pepper and cucumber for fast protein/veggie dips and run.
– Yogurt, granola and washed & ready berries for quick healthy breakfast.
– When you arrive home at 2AM, boil an egg and then stick it in the fridge, so it’s ready for consumption in the AM.
– Almond butter, rice cakes, grapes and apple – for when you need a quick snack to pick you up.
– Babybel cheese to grab when you are racing out the door. 
– Lindt 80% dark chocolate is a better way to inject energy than yet another coffee. It’s also great for keeping in your purse and munching on while you wait in a rush line.
– For iron, hack spinach and throw in a pan with garlic butter. It takes about 30 seconds.
– Keep Luna bars in your purse at all times for when you are starving and don’t have time to grab a proper meal.
– Papaya and lime is a great way to coat your stomach, and a decadent treat. This will also keep you regular, which is important.
– A quick and dirty bean salad is a healthy way to get energy that will last. Rinse chickpeas, black beans and red kidney beans, add cilantro and diced tomatoes and it’s done.
– Get some scoop ready guacamole and those blue/flax tortilla chips. Or, keep a couple ripened avocados ready for when you need that omega lift. But get the ripe ones! 
– Okay, it may not be totally healthy, but I slam a few Dr. Oetker pizzas in my freezer for when I’m hungry and need something to fill me up in 20 minutes. If you pair this with a messy salad – open pre-washed lettuce container, dump in bowl, add tomato and oil with salt, it’s slightly more balanced. 
– Clementines fit nicely in a purse as do almonds and raisins. 
– David’s Secret Weapon Tea. This stuff is my magic potion, and at the end of a long day, I brew a cup to just relax and let the antioxidants do their thing.
– Emergen-C vitamin packs. Keep a couple in your purse and dump in water for fast guzzling in between A and B.
– Keep lemons in your fridge and every morning squeeze a few wedges into a tall glass of water. It’s like a mini detox before the day even begins.

This year, I will not succumb to eating Sofia Coppola’s half chewed burger that from a discarded tray in the hallway of the Intercontinental Hotel. Yep, that did happen.