Food For Thought
The Best Foods for Finals
by Leanne Ely, CNC
Summer is on the horizon! Three months of sunglasses, sunscreen, swimming, and too much ice cream. However, before we can play in the sun we have to survive to the end of the school year. At least, your kids do and you have to get them there. Amazingly the right food can lend a helping hand!
Making the right food choices can actually sharpen your mind, help initiate brain activity, and improve your mood! Exam season is rearing its ugly head again and Pop-Tarts or doughnuts for breakfast won’t cut it. Serving up breakfast foods full of vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, the right type of carbohydrates, and protein will help your student do better in school, especially this time of year.
The B vitamins (folic acid, B6, and B12) help fuel messages the brain sends back and forth throughout your body. Some examples of good breakfast and snack foods full of the right vitamins you need are bananas, nuts, seeds, and cranberries. Omega-3 fatty acids help with blood circulation, memory, and the immune system. So skip the goldfish crackers and munch of some salmon or tuna instead!
Carbohydrates need to be chosen wisely. Avoiding French fries, hash browns, and anything with bleached flours will eliminate refined carbs. Look for instead whole grain cereals, breads, and pastas. Good, complex carbs can help relax the brain after hours of cramming and also allow for clearer thinking.
And last, but never least, protein. This is what will keep the brain alert during an exam. There is a large variety of foods to choose from that are full of protein ranging from eggs and milk products to meat, fish and chicken.
We all need brain foods, not just kids taking exams. Keep your brain in mind as you make out your grocery list this week!