We all know that, to keep our brains running smoothly, we need to fuel them appropriately with a balanced diet. This is specially important during exams or other stress periods, because mental work burns more calories than sometimes we realize.
One easy and effective way to get that extra energy our brains need are snacks. When used in conjunction with an already good diet, they can give a much needed boost to your memory, attention, comprehension…
I’ve found the best time to go for a little snack is during studying breaks. I use the pomodoro technique, so every 25 minutes I’ll have a little break, and that’s when I do my snacking. Not every break has to be a snack-break, of course!
If I am cramming, I find eating while studying also works, but it is messier and can interrupt your focus. So try your best to plan little breaks at set intervals!
Eat small things, both in portion and in size. Finger foods are much better than stuff you need utensils for. Bite sized foods work best and are generally less messy. Small portions mean you get energy as you need it, and that you won’t overeat or force your body to do a heavy digestion while studying (trust me, you don’t want that! You want all the energy going to your brain and not your guts!).
Here’s where many people get stuck, but truth is possibilities are endless. I advise against junk food, but even that is better (in moderation, of course!) than having nothing at all. It is a good idea to plan ahead what you will be eating and snacking that week: this way you can make sure you choose a variety of foods with good nutritional values, and your choices are wiser.
Fruit smoothies (a favorite here is frozen strawberries, banana & cinnamon)
Tea (any type, hot or iced)
A small cup of hot chocolate
Berries (I’m a fan of blueberries, but to each their own!)
Carrot, green pepper and/or celery sticks
Hummus (pair it up with the vegetable sticks and it’s yummy!)
Guacamole (it can work as a dip, too!)
A good old sandwich (this one is too much for me, but it’s good for longer breaks)
Hard pretzels or pretzel rods
Dark chocolate (but do not overdo this one!)
M&Ms (or similar, but in moderation)
Nuts (I’m specially a fan of walnuts, but any one goes!)
Cheese (wedges, mini cheese balls, diced…)
Cold meats (diced, rolled up slices…)
The list, honestly, is endless, as are the benefits of regular and healthy snacking for students like you and me.
ETA: Adding more snack ideas as I come up with them. Feel free to share yours!
(Note of the Author: Please forgive any mistakes I may have made. English is my third language and sometimes I get brain-hiccups while writing long things!)
