exam season is nearly upon us, which can only mean one thing… revision, revision, revision!
Months of prep, endless hours in the library, sleep deprivation and stress; sound familiar? This is why it’s even more important that we take care of our bodies and make sure we eat properly!
What’s going to give my brain a boost?
I’m sure when we’ve heard the words ‘brain foods’ in the past, we associate this with fish, particularly those that are oily like salmon or mackerel. This is of course factually correct, as oily fish provides us with essential fatty acids (omega 3’s have proven to be really important for healthy brain function) but also an important source of protein! If you already eat oily fish, don’t stop now – 2 portions per week would be fabulous!
But what happens if we don’t like fish? Which other food sources might help?
Carbohydrates – give us energy and this includes our brains! The brain uses glucose as its energy source and the best sources of these are wholegrain carbohydrates.
Fat – it’s all about eating the right types of fat. Without lecturing too much, try to limit the amount of saturated fats you eat and increase the amount of poly or monounsaturated fats. Foods that contain the right types of fat include avocados, nuts & seeds. A little drizzle of olive oil on a salad here or there would also be great! The subject of fat can be quite complex, so watch this space for a blog dedicated to this in the near future!
Fruits & Veg – contain antioxidants which protect our precious brain cells, try to eat the rainbow and reach your 5aDay at the same time!
Hydration! Keeping hydrated can help us to concentrate and helps brain cell performance. If we don’t drink enough, we may become irritable and are more likely to feel tired and dizzy, something which could be exacerbated with a lack of sleep!
Look after yourself guys – revision and exam time can be stressful but take control of what you can and boost that brain power!
