what's good food to eat as you study?
It's midterm season again, and I was wondering what is or was your go to food for when you have to buckle down and study.
If you have any good suggestions, that are healthy and yummy (I'm trying to lose weight, but can't work out due to a badly sprained MCL) ideas, shoot!
I realllly don't want to break out the ramen, even though I loooves it.
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21 Comments:
Your brain needs protein to work efficiently. My suggestion is a homemade trail mix made with unsalted nuts and dried fruits. Buying in bulk is cheaper and you can make your own perfect combination.
juliebugsmama at 3:42PM on 09/24/09
A while back, I had a similar post, asking for suggestions for all-nighters. Here's a link to the old thread. Great suggestions!
I like dry cereal for a non-messy snack. Veggies with hummus or peanut butter is also good. Crunchy things and cold things will help you stay alert.
Good luck!
engmcmuffin at 3:59PM on 09/24/09
fish is supposed to be brain food ....
goodcooker at 4:00PM on 09/24/09
if you feel like munching... munch on something hard like nuts and dried fruit. chewing is good for your brain.
I'm fondly remembering "brain bread" (zuno pan) from college... now they even put DHA in the bread. They say vitamin B1 is good for your brain, but I simply fell for the retro-looking package with the cute old scholar. I'm disappointed they changed the package design!
Also, I recommend cooking already-cooked rice in some sort of healthy soup with eggs and vegetables (I do miso soup). It expands and looks like a lot, but you are only eating like 1/2 of a small bowl of rice that way. much better for you than ramen!
hmw0029 at 5:15PM on 09/24/09
@juliebugsmama - spot on dear
re: goodcooker and fish - you're on the right track. The Omegas/dHA's are what the commercials refer to as "brain food" as it supports healthy development of the brain. In this case you could add flax to your trailmix (or almost anything for that matter).
I don't mean to promote my trade but take your multivitamin!!!
hungrychristel at 5:56PM on 09/24/09
I'd opt for proteins--how about a tuna salad sandwich...
@hmw0029-the rice/soup combo with veggies is a great option-filling and healthy
I believe some of these were mentioned & also good options--peanut butter, hummus, hard boiled eggs, veggie sticks are all good bets..
Italiancupcake at 6:07PM on 09/24/09
beef jerky
AnnieNT at 6:39PM on 09/24/09
I'm not studying, but I snack on a mixture that includeds almonds, yogurt covered raisins, chocolate coated raisins and dark chocolate M&M's. Sometimes I'll also use Plumsweets, which are chocolate coated plum pieces.
dmcavanagh at 6:43PM on 09/24/09
Remember that when you eat, that the blood supply that is in the rest of your body, including your brain goes to your stomach to help with digestion. You need that blood in your head. Do not continuously graze or you will no retain your studying. If you want to retain your info get up and walk or exercise lightly before returning to studying. No heavy exercise or you will be to tired to study.
janaatwg at 6:50PM on 09/24/09
I like the Laughing Cow spreadable Garlic and Herb cheese spread on a piece of whole grain toast cut into quarters with some cherry tomatoes and cucumbe slices on the side. It's not too heavy, has some protein and some veggies to fill you up without making you sleepy. Good luck!
dhorst at 7:10PM on 09/24/09
In addition to food, don't forget to drink a lot of water! Your body needs to stay hydrated to be alert, and it may keep you from eating more than you want / should. After all, even though I agree you need high energy foods, you can get sluggish when you eat too much. Stay hydrated.
senorjames at 7:18PM on 09/24/09
My BigMan always swore by Mountain Dew and a Chunky.
PoorOldMama at 7:52PM on 09/24/09
I can't study and munch on things. I can and will consume an entire Family Size bag of Doritos if I'm reading and eating. I'm trying to lose weight too, so I keep my meals and studying separate.
I recommend just chewing on gum while you're hunched over books, and stopping to make quick meals for food. Sandwiches, salads, soups are nice and light. You don't have to make ramen, but I always find that rice/glass noodles in broth is fast to make, light, and still filling.
If you really want to snack, popcorn is low on calories. I'll tuck into a small bowl of edamame as a snack sometimes, which is also a bit of a protein boost.
hungryhungryhippo at 1:42AM on 09/25/09
Midterms and finals went one of two ways:
1) Tuna and a small amount of dark chocolate (tuna for the brain food, dark chocolate to keep me awake)
or... the less healthy of options, but more easily found on campus...
2) Pretzel/"cheddar cheese" Combos and Peanut Butter M&Ms... they became a signifier for "it's business time..."
That was also the only time I'd allow myself to drink regular Coke.
Good luck!
plaurel at 3:15AM on 09/25/09
while studying, carrots, celery, twizzlers, fruit leathers. crunchy or chewy to get some energy going.
yogurt is also good for a stretch-pause in studying.
fish is brain food. i would go with either salmon for the omega3 or if you are snacking, sardines. no more than 3 servings in a week though... as mercury is not so good for your brain.
sometimes, m&ms are also good.... mostly to play with... and throw at people, but you can eat a few too. chocolate encourages the happy part of your brain; stress reduces your information intake.
blizcheetah at 9:13AM on 09/25/09
Got to go with Anne about the beef jerky. Also crackers and cheese, peanut butter on anything, (I like it on crackers and celery), carrot sticks are fun. Even better Fiddle Faddle.
pjracz10 at 11:51AM on 09/25/09
popcorn, dark chocolate, and a mix of cashew nuts and dried cranberries. good luck with your exams!
Carioca at 1:20PM on 09/25/09
Augh... flashbacks of nights in desolate study rooms... too broke for the candy machines... eating sugar packets to stay awake... blister-packed grape jelly if lucky...
I don't suggest this to anyone, but if totally desperate, free sugar packets consumed sparingly, at the right intervals, will get a body through the night alert.
semarr at 2:18PM on 09/25/09
peanut m&ms. cheese-its. popcorn. altho popcorn can get greasy, watch for smudgy fingerprints on your notes/books lol
listener at 4:33PM on 09/25/09
NOT pizza! Spare yourself the freshman (or any other year) fifteen. Hummus, cucumbers, carrots, and pita chips are a great study snack.
barbara_flay at 10:44PM on 09/28/09
if you're really super tired and your eyes are having trouble focusing, i recommend drinking through a straw or sucking a lollypop. the vacuum action in your mouth will help your eye muscles pull in together for reading. sour things are alerting and help you stay on task. i love sour straws and lemonheads. junk food is brain food!
cybercita at 11:04PM on 09/28/09