|  Before
a big test it’s better to skip the late night studying,
and be sure to wake up for breakfast. Plus meals made up of
good carbohydrates (whole grains that don’t contain
refined sugar), healthy fats and protein will help prevent
a mid-exam drop in blood sugar.
A quick lesson
in food chemistry will help in understanding why what we eat
affects how we perform. According to “The Brain Diet,”
author Alan C. Logan, these four mentally strengthening meals
make the grade:
Low fat
yogurt with blueberries
So what’s
so great about this simple mix of fruit and dairy? For one
thing, probiotics (healthy bacteria) in yogurt may help make
you relax, and the antioxidants (chemical compounds that counter
the negative effects of oxygen) in the berries strengthen
the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.
Oatmeal
with a glass of low-fat milk
If you tend to
get nervous before tests, try this basic breakfast. The fiber
in oatmeal reduces the body’s response to the stress
hormone cortisol, easing exam jitters. Or, look for any cereal
with 3 or more grams of fiber per serving, like Kellogg’s
Mini-Wheats.
Whole grain
bread with natural peanut or almond butter
Some nut butters
contain selenium, a mineral which is believed to regulate
hormones in the brain, helping balance mood and possibly keeping
your thinking cap intact—through the whole entire quiz.
Scrambled
eggs with a whole wheat English muffin
Look for eggs fortified
with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid that
helps improve communication between brain cells.
And that means
egg-cellent grades!
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