Well, finals are over for me, and I realised how important nutrition is during exams. So I thought I would put together yet another post for my ‘Eating Healthy in College’ series to share with you guys some of the tips to eat well and nourish both your mind and body during exams You can check out the past few posts in the series here:

Eating Healthy in College…

On a meal plan!
On the run!
On a budget!

As always, I have my magic number 7 to get us going. So let’s start with number 1!

1. Drink up!

Okay it may seem strange that my first tip is regarding water, since it’s not exactly food. BUT staying hydrated is extremely important! Aim for 1.5 to 2 litres of water daily, even more if you exercise.

2. Fishing for Omega-3s!

Salmon, Sardines and Mackerel are the way to go. If you don’t have time to cook, just crack open a can of sardines and have it with a bowl of steaming rice, or in a sandwich. Quick, healthy and good for your brain

3. Egg-celent Choice!

Eggs are loaded with protein, and are an egg-celent brain food. (Pardon my puns haha). You can have them anyway you like- Scrambled, fried, poached, sunny-side up, runny or even hardboiled. Have eggs as part of breakfast and set yourself right for the day.

4. Nutty mighty!

Nuts have gotten a lot of bad rep, what with all the fear of fat in foods. Well, these nuts have healthy fats. AND I feel its important to clarify that eating fats do not make you fat. Snacking on nuts is great for your brain and helps to keep your tummy from rumbling so you can focus on your work. If you don’t have access to nuts, nut butters are a good choice too

Fun fact: Walnuts are shaped like a brain, and they are good for your brain!

5. A is for Apple, B is for Banana…

If only our grades were determined by the first letter of the fruits we ate. I would eat apples everyday. Haha. On a more serious note, fruits are great for snacking since the natural sugars in the fruits help to give you energy to study and for your brain to work quickly to do your paper.

6. Eat regularly

Rather than trying to save time and cram your meals into fewer larger meals, its actually better to eat throughout the day to keep your energy levels up and to help you to focus. Larger meals tend to make you feel sluggish and sleepy (post-lunch nap anyone?)

7. The day of the exam:

Avoid food that you don’t eat normally, and try to steer clear of dairy products, just in case. If you’re not used to eating something, the day of your exam is NOT a good time to try it. You never know how your body will react. So, just to be on the safe side, go for food that you are familiar with, say a peanut-butter-banana sandwich or eggs, beans and toast!

Remember, nutrition is just as important as studying and sleeping well during the exam period So eat smart and study smart to get your good grades.