When your exams are just around the corner, food is probably the last thing you have time to worry about.
Long gone are the healthy days of wholesome food and regular exercise, you decide to survive on chocolate bars, takeaways and energy drinks.
Sorry to disappoint, but this is the worst thing you can do to your wallet, your body, and therefore your brain.
To function properly and get you through this challenging and stressful time, your brain needs to be fed properly and regularly. Meals don’t have to be complicated or time consuming if you follow our list.
1. Pasta, rice and complex carbs
Ensuring a good level of energy during your studies is essential to make the most of your time and not feel sluggish.
Include wholegrain rice, pasta, porridge and bread in your diet, as well as starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pulses.
2. Nuts
Good fats are essential for your brain, especially Omega 3 which are said to boost your memory.
When you get peckish, snack on almonds, walnuts, cashews and seeds to make sure you cover your needs.
Fatty fish are also a great source of Omega 3 so if you want to get a takeaway, go for a plate of sushi and a salad.
3. Fruits and vegetables
To get as much nutrients as possible, make sure to include fruits and vegetables in every meal and snack you have.
Kiwis, grapefruits, peppers, tomatoes, parsley and oranges for example are great sources of Vitamin C, which helps combat fatigue.
Overall, the more colourful your plate the better! (and we are not talking about pouring Skittles in a bowl and calling it dinner.)
4. Eggs
An excellent and cheap source of protein (to help build those brain cells), eggs might also improve memory according to a recent study.
Eggs and avocado on toast are a delicious, quick and super healthy meal that is perfect for the exam season.
5. Drink water!
Ditch the energy drinks and go easy on the coffee.
The one and only drink you really need during your exams is water as your cognitive functions and learning abilities decrease massively if your body is dehydrated – which happens even before you feel thirsty.
Aim at a minimum of 1.5l a day.
Extra tip: SLEEP!
Going to bed at 5 am before an exam in order to catch up with all the classes you missed is the worst idea.
Sometimes, getting a good night of sleep – allowing you to show up with a refreshed mind and functioning brain – might actually be more useful than a last minute learning bootcamp.
