Eating During Exam Season
It’s getting to be that time of year again, exam season. You may be working and studying so much that you forget to nourish your body as well as your brain. I know it happens to me, too. I will be working away and realize dinner time has passed. I understand how hard it is to shop, cook, and actually eat food during stressful times like exam season. It is challenging to find time to eat when you’re deep into your studying.
Nourishing your body while using your brain can even heighten your abilities. Research shows that eating a well-balanced snack or meal before taking an exam or doing work can improve your performance. Personally, my problem is just knowing what to buy and make that isn’t going to take a substantial amount of time. I have included some of the recipes I’ve tried or am going to try. These snacks you can take to your study spot or eat before your studying, which won’t take up more than 30 minutes. You might even have a lot of these ingredients in your pantry, and you don’t even know it!
- No-Bake Power Balls! (We made these at the Food Resource Centre last week, and now I’m obsessed!) These power balls have nutrients that promote focus and fill that hunger gap when you’re on the go. Here is an online recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/239969/no-bake-energy-bites/
- Spiced Popcorn Snacks! This is great if you’re looking for a snack that might not be the most nourishing, but you can grab and go to your study spot. Here is an online recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/149548/cajun-spiced-popcorn/
- Baked Kale Chips! Kale Chips are packed with vitamins K, C, and A. All these vitamins can help your teeth and gum health, help your body form blood clots, and retain energy for long study periods. Here is an online recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/176957/baked-kale-chips/
- Crispy Garlic Bread Chickpeas! This recipe has a significant amount of protein, dietary fibre, and Iron, which help regulate appetite, improve cognitive function and support concentration. Here is an online recipe: https://www.thegarlicdiaries.com/crispy-garlic-bread-chickpeas-21-day-fix/
- Apple Cookies! This snack is great if you’re craving a little sweetness when you’re studying, but want to keep that focus going. Apples contain an antioxidant called “quercetin” that supports your memory function. Here is an online recipe: https://rachelschultz.com/2014/04/09/apple-cookies/?m=
There are many other recipes you can find online when you search quick study snack recipes, but these are the ones I have put on my list and have researched to back up why they are good. Remember, there are people here to support you during this time and want to help. A great resource for food is the Food Resource Centre, and they even have some recipes of their own! (https://lusu.ca/centre/student-centres/food-resource-centre/)
-Kayla McAdam, Peer Wellness Educator Lead
