As you study from home, you need to eat right in order to learn right. You don’t want to be distracted by hunger, or overtired from eating too much, and you want to keep your mind in good working condition. The foods you eat play a role in that, and one of the benefits of being housebound is all the control you have over what you eat. Here’s what you should munch on while you’re hitting the books, according to A Life of Productivity, Healthline, Spoon University and WebMD.
Green tea for your caffeine fix
While the stereotype of the studying student is that they’re always strung out on caffeine, the fact is that it does work to make you more awake and aware, although the effects are short-term, and having too much of it will make you jittery. The best way to get some into your system is to study with a mug of green tea at your side, because it’s milder than coffee, still gives you that stimulant, and also gives you antioxidants that’ll boost your brain functions, and L-theanine, an amino acid that reduces anxiety. Also, compared to coffee, the caffeine in green tea will release more slowly, letting you have energy and focus for a longer time than coffee.
Oranges and fresh fruit for healthy sugar
We complain about sugar being bad for us, but the fact is that glucose is the brain’s best source of fuel. Because of that, eating an orange or drinking orange juice can give you a brief mental boost, as well as your day’s dose of vitamin C, which is important for your brain’s long-term health. And if you don’t have oranges, any other kind of fresh fruit will still do the job, sugar-wise. Like caffeine, though, you don’t want to have too much sugar, as it can impair your memory and has even been connected to heart disease.
Blueberries are super nutritious
Fresh fruit is good for you in general, but blueberries in particular help stave off age-related brain problems like Alzheimer’s and dementia in the future, and boost concentration and memory for five hours in the present, thanks to their antioxidants helping the blood and oxygen to your brain. You can eat them straight up as a snack on the side as you study, or put them in salad, cereal or oatmeal.
Eggs go over easy
A good thing about eggs is that they’re easy to cook while still being very versatile (fry them, scramble them, boil them, poach them and more), while also being great for your mind, thanks to B vitamins and choline, which help with brain function and development. Thanks to all the protein, they also fill you up more than cereal or anything sugary.
Nuts and dark chocolate are brain food
Nuts and seeds give you vitamin E, an antioxidant that will help keep your mind sharp as you age. Dark chocolate is also actually good for you (in modest quantities), in that it gives you antioxidants and small amounts of caffeine, as well as magnesium, which will de-stress you. It’ll boost your mood, and not just because it’s chocolate. Just don’t eat a ton of it, since it is still rich chocolate. And hey, dark chocolate-covered nuts are a great way to combine the two.
Avocadoes help the blood flow. Thanks.
Both your heart and your brain rely on blood flow, and a diet with avocado in it is one that lowers your bad cholesterol, keeping it flowing, and keeping your brain cells firing. Yes, they have fat in them, but it’s the kind that’s good for you. Plus, they have the kind of fibre in them that keeps hunger at bay, meaning you’ll stop for snacks a lot less. So be it toast, a sandwich or salad, add some into it.
Make your vegetables leafy and green
By that, I’m talking about broccoli, chard, spinach, kale and similar foods. They’re full of antioxidants (again) and carotenoids, which give your brain a boost. They’re also full of B vitamins, which help your memory and focus. They’re also packed with vitamin K, which helps build pathways in the brain.
Always be drinking water
Last, but certainly not least, there’s no simpler way to improve your focus than making sure you have enough water. Everything in your body runs on it, so it’s important you get enough. When it comes to studying, water literally provides the electrical energy to help your brain run, making you think faster, get more focused, and be clearer and more creative.
Written by: Anthony Geremia