Having trouble while studying, can not concentrate well i am sure Preparing for exams is a bit like training for a marathon, and just as your muscles need the right kind of fuel to keep pumping, so does your brain. What you eat can affect how well your brain functions and your ability to learn, understand and remember. Here are my top 5 tips for boosting your brain-power with the right nutrition.
1. Wholegrain carbs for brain-fuelYour brain uses 20% of your energy and needs a constant supply or it will start to slow down. Not good when you’re trying to revise or in the middle of an exam. Choose wholegrain carbohydrates that release their energy steadily, and avoid sugary snacks or drinks which make your blood sugar rise then fall sharply, ultimately starving your brain of fuel. Try:
Wholegrain breakfast cereals - porridge, muesli or Shredded Wheat: a good breakfast helps you concentrate, think straight and remember things.
Wholegrain or Granary bread for sandwiches.
Brown rice – tasty, easy to cook.
2. Proteins for processing powerYour brain produces neurotransmitters which transmit nerve impulses, enabling you to think, stay alert, get motivated and process information.
It generates more impulses every day than all the phones in the world – even more when you’re studying, revising and doing exams – so it gets through a lot of neurotransmitters.
Protein is essential for making neurotransmitters. Have 2-3 portions/day. Try:
Chicken or turkey – turkey mince is cheap and makes great burgers
Fish and shellfish – frozen prawns are cheap and make a good Thai curry
Eggs – poached eggs on toast or omelets
Beans, lentils, tofu, nuts and seeds – tofu stir fry, lentil curry or snack on nuts
3. Get your good fatsAmazingly, your brain is about 60% fat – mostly good omega-3 fats. These are essential for brain structure and function. Oily (non-white) fish provide a rich source. Aim for 2 portions/week. Try:
Sardines or pilchards on toast
Sandwich with mackerel pate filling: smoked mackerel mashed with low-fat cream cheese and horseradish.
Scrambled eggs with smoked salmon – salmon trimmings aren't expensive and make scrambled eggs special.
4. Stay hydratedYour brain contains a lot of water, and starts to shrivel with even mild dehydration, so:
Drink enough fluid each day, mostly water, to keep your pee a pale straw color.
If you drink tea, green tea is a good choice. It contains antioxidants which help protect the brain, and has been shown to help nerve transmissions associated with learning and memory.
5. Save alcohol until it’s time to celebrateIn excess, alcohol is seriously toxic to the brain. It:
Weakens brain cell connections.
Reduces your memory.
Disrupts sleep, which is essential to back up your memory files of what you've learned in the day.
Enjoy this menu and special thanks for Clare Casson, Nutritionist and Wellbeing Coach
Article taken from
http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/5_ways_to_feed_your_brain-powerRemember to be able to study you will need a working brain and a brain will not work without fuel so enjoy