Top Tips for Eating During Exam Time

It’s that time of the semester once again. Long study sessions, running on no sleep and bottomless coffee. Nutrition quickly falls off the radar when such important priorities are on the list. When it comes to preparing for exams, it’s important to treat them like a mental marathon where endurance is key. Eating the right foods at the right times will alert and energize you through those long study sessions.  Your Food Services team have put together some simple tips so you can eat your way to an A!

1. Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast

   Despite the brain being a small organ, it requires a steady stream of glucose throughout the day as it uses 20% of the body’s total energy intake. This is essential when first waking up in the morning as your body has been fasting for several hours prior. Breakfast will allow you the energy required to start your day off right.

2. Keep a consistent eating schedule

   As you have diligently scheduled your study sessions along with other important priorities, plan your meals and snacks with the same vigor. During an uncertain time, consistency is significant as it relieves stress since everything has a designated time and place.

3. Avoid eating mindlessly

   Eating as you study will save time but also feed into to unhealthy eating habits. Take regular breaks and pay attention to true hunger cues, such as growling noises and stomach twinges. Avoid eating snacks where you study, instead eat in a dining room if possible or just pause studying to stretch and move to another spot to give your brain and body a break while you fully enjoy your snack or meal.

4. Snack Away!

   If snacking, reach for healthy snack options such as fruits, chopped vegetables, dried fruit, yogurt, nuts, and seeds. Avoid choices that contain high amounts of refined sugars as this can cause a spike in blood sugar levels which will leave you feeling flat and drained of energy. Having healthy snacks at the ready will keep you satisfied and allow you to keep focused. Take a look at upcoming events to make the most of our “make your own snack mix” pop up events happening with your dietitian, Rai-Lee the first week of December!