As much as we hate to hear it, finals are coming up. Time to start cramming and learning everything from those lectures you skipped or chapters you only skimmed over.
Luckily most of us have reading period whether it is a day or a week to try and focus (emphasis on try). Amidst all our studying, it is important not to skip meals or snacks.
This may be the one week to put away the junk food though and start feeding your brain what is really needs. Here are all the foods you should be eating based on the final you are studying for.
Math: Whole Grains
Photo by Ashley Hamati
Whole wheat pasta, bread, or cereal (think: Cheerios, Frosted Mini Wheats, Honey Bunches of Oats) are exactly what you need to power through all those practice problems.
Whole grains provide a steady supply of energy that will keep you mentally alert. For every problem, practice test, or packet you go through, the nutrients of whole grains will help keep you going.
Biology: Pumpkin Seeds
Photo by Tallie Gabriel
Mitochondria? Golgi? Mitosis versus Meiosis? Whatever you may be studying, biology has a lot to cover.
Pumpkin seeds contain zinc, which enhances memory and improves thinking skills. They are also super easy to make, with tons of leeway to be creative with your own flavor combinations. If you don’t want to buy them, find a few recipes to make your own here.
A pumpkin spice latte probably doesn’t have the same benefits. But it’s still delicious.
Chemistry: Broccoli
Photo by Julie West
Broccoli is full of vitamin K which enhances cognitive function and improves brainpower. Protons? Electrons? Neutrons? No problem.
Philosophy: Leafy Greens
Kale is (of course) one option, but if you don’t think it’s worth the hype, there are tons of other leafy greens to eat that are just as healthy. These vegetables are filled with antioxidants to fight free radicals that hurt brain function.
They also contain folate, a vitamin that aids in signaling between the brain and the body through neurotransmitters. So, while you’re learning all about Plato and Aristotle, take a break with a nice salad or green smoothie.
Physics: Vitamin C
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Vitamin C can be found in most fruits, including cantaloupe, kiwi, mango, pineapple, berries, watermelon, and especially citrus. You can also drink in the nutrients in a big glass of orange juice.
The benefits of vitamin C include removing toxins and wastes to protect the brain and aid memory. It improves blood flow to the brain by building up tissue collagen to keep arteries flexible. We know you need a lot of brainpower for that Physics final (#smartpeopleproblems).
#SpoonTip: Eat vitamin C rich foods to boost your immune system and avoid getting sick.
Psychology: Popcorn
Photo by Chelsea Hawk
The brain feeds on glucose, and the best way to give it this is through complex carbohydrates, such as popcorn. Popcorn will help you focus to get you through all those textbook readings.
Try mixing up your popcorn to keep things interesting, but don’t have too much sugar or you might crash.
History: Blueberries
Photo by Julia Maguire
Studies show that blueberries help reverse memory loss, in particular short term memory loss, so they are especially good for cramming. Mix them in a smoothie, add them to pancakes, or just eat them plain and you will get all the benefits.
Good luck remembering all those dates. May the odds be ever in your favor.
Language: Trail Mix
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Learning a new language is a juggling act. Your brains has to go back and forth between your primary language and the one you are learning, without mixing up grammar or vocabulary.
Nuts have vitamin E, which prevents cognitive decline, so you can take everything in at its full potential. Plus, there’s chocolate. That little burst of sugar will help you study for at least another two hours.
#SpoonTip: Combine the benefits of trail mix with popcorn by making trail mix popcorn. Get the recipe here.
Computer Science: Dark Chocolate
Photo by Gaby Mas
Computer science has now become one of the most popular majors across the country. For all you coding out there get your sugar high studying with some dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate has antioxidant properties such as natural stimulants including caffeine. It will help you stay up cracking down code, enhancing your focus and concentration in addition to improving your mood.
Grab a bar and eat it plain or bake it into one of many delicious desserts.
Economics: Avocados
Photo by Lily Lou
For all the guacamole and avocado toast lovers out there, now you can eat it to help you study. Find out how to incorporate it into every meal here.
Avocado’s monounsaturated fats promote healthy blood flow, helping the brain to function better.
English: Gum
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Although it’s not technically a food, gum can help get you through any reading or essay. A study in 2011 found that people who chewed gum during a stressful task were more alert afterwards than when they did the task without gum.
Whether it is spearmint, peppermint, watermelon, or bubblegum it’s time to start chewing.
#SpoonTip: Chew gum right before your test to improve test scores. Check out the study that says so here.
And Finally…
Gif courtesy of giphy.com
Good luck to everyone taking finals. We know reading period stinks. Make sure you’re eating right. Then, when you are finished, celebrate and dance like Gru with all the delicious foods you can dream of.