Bon Posted October 3, 2002 Posted October 3, 2002 This is mainly for KickChick - anyone else is welcome to contribute as well. I'm wondering if there's a diet you can follow to increase your academic performance, especially while studying 10+ hours a day for over a month ? I have my final exams, which determine whether we get accepted into University or not in starting in less than 3 weeks time and will go for about 2 weeks. I'll still be training during my exams too, so I should be reasonably fit. It takes sacrifice to be the best.There are always two choices, two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it's easy.
KickChick Posted October 3, 2002 Posted October 3, 2002 An academic diet .... brings new meaning to "You are what you eat" I suppose my answer to your question Bon is to eat .... "smart" There are no foods that would actually increase the IQ of a person, but eating the right thing at the right time would keep the energy levels up. The food you eat has a wide range of effects on your body systems. There is evidence that food can affect brain chemistry. The brain is a vast network of nerves along which messages are sent. The biochemical messengers of the brain are called neurotransmitters. Among them is serotonin, which plays a crucial role in your emotional well being. The body manufactures neurotransmitters from nutrients and these nutrients we eat, play a significant role in the functioning of the brain. According to recent researches, eating carbohydrates with proteins causes more aminoacids to enter the muscles. This in turn aids in serotonin. This helps better neuro-transmission. So include carbohydrates and proteins in moderate quantities in your daily diet. A proper diet can actually improve stamina, alertness, memory and attentiveness. Eat smart. Eat right. Give food a thought and give food for thought. This way, you will be mentally, physically and emotionally ready to face the challenge of exams. Mental activity is demanding, and your brain needs regular refuelling. You may also feel like a snack just to break the monotony of studies. Don't reach for junk food for a snack ... go for protein bars Here are some tips to follow: 1. Do not skip breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day. 2. If you have no time for a regular breakfast, carry a fruit, a packet of biscuits, a sandwich and a packet of nuts which you can eat while commuting to school. 3. Eat something during breaktime. 4. Drink fruit juice and plenty of water. 5. Balance your food choices ... don't eat too much of one thing. 6. Eat more grains, fruits and vegetables. 7. Take a few minutes to relax after meals. 8. Schedule revision of easier subjects after meals. 9. Enjoy your meal you deserve it. 10. Eat plenty of raw vegetables. Make up interesting salads. 11. Make eating fun, not a chore. 12. If time permits during exams, enjoy meals with the family. This will take your mind off your studies for a while. Do not eat alone in your room. This tends to make you brood over problems. Enjoy the experience of eating. 13. Set realistic goals, both for studies and food. You cannot change your food habits in a day. Include at least one nutritious item at each meal and work more and more of the right stuff into your menu. 14. If special meals cannot be cooked for you, find interesting ways of eating a food, say eggs. They cook fast and are easy to eat. An omelette, with a variation of spices and herbs, is the answer to a quick and nutritious meal. 15. Do not go on a yo-yo diet ever, and especially before and during exams. A yo-yo diet is one in which you go on a bingeing spree and then go on a crash diet alternately. Both extremes are dangerous. 16. Drink milk regularly. Do not buckle under peer pressure and feel that you are too old for milk. If you do not like milk, drink milkshakes, flavoured milk, yogurt or flavoured yoghurt. Flavored yogurt comes with natural fruit in it, It can be eaten quickly and carried in your back-pack. 17. Drink fresh fruit juice as soon as it is made. Do not allow it to stand for a long time, 18. Remember, it is the total diet, not the nutritional quality of single food item which determines the quality of intake. 19. Never skip meals in an attempt to lose weight. Eat all the meals in moderation. 20. Keep to a time-schedule for meals. When you draw up a timetable for studies before exams, include meal times and take into consideration the time and duration of each meal. Do not compromise on this. 21. Do not postpone your night time meal till very late. 22. Do not stay on an empty stomach for too long. 23. Keep fit! A sluggish body leads to a sluggish mind. 24. Keep physically active. (which you will and are doing!) If you have no time for regular exercise during exams, then here are a few simple ways of ensuring that you get some exercise to boost metabo: You could walk up and down and study for a while. Stretch and bend down after long hours at your desk. Walk around the house a few times. Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible and wherever possible. Do spot-jogging once in a while.
Bon Posted October 3, 2002 Author Posted October 3, 2002 lol, I liked your opening sentence, KickChick. Thanks for the info! By the way, congratulations on getting your 2nd dan. How was the test ? Lots of hard board breaking ? =P It takes sacrifice to be the best.There are always two choices, two paths to take. One is easy. And its only reward is that it's easy.
KickChick Posted October 3, 2002 Posted October 3, 2002 .... like that huh? That was a very good question Bon ... having a good diet helps in many many areas, not only to maintain desired weight. Actually we are ta;king "nutrition" here. Also I forgot to suggest a good multivitamin (if you are not taking one already). (Off Topic: -- Thanks Bon! ... "album" pics to follow on board breaks )
ZR440 Posted October 3, 2002 Posted October 3, 2002 Wow. And I thought beer and pizza was the key to passing classes. Must be that bar exams aren't the way to go anymore, eh? It's happy hour somewhere in the world.
SaiFightsMS Posted October 4, 2002 Posted October 4, 2002 The pizza and beer follow finals week and do not run concurrently.
Bretty101 Posted October 7, 2002 Posted October 7, 2002 I always manage to stack on weight when leading upto exams. I just face it it's gonna happen if your spending 10+ hours a day sat at a desk or computer. I don't think you can really diet to increase your brain power, tho plenty of small meals should raise your energy and aviod the tiredness produced by a large meal. I used to do the worst things when i was revising, things like sugary drinks and buckets of coffee to keep my brain going till the early hours. The result was just a disruption of my sleep pattern, i was tired the next day and never really achieved my best. The best advice i can give (though it's always gonna be hard) is to draw up a time table and stick to it, include odd breaks, meal times and importantly 2 hours in the evening to do a little exercise (i found jogging quite convenient) and to relax afterwards so you find it easier to sleep. These 2 hours i've found are really important and a light at the end of a tunnel when your working hard all day. Fortunately i never have to do another exam ever again now i've got my first ever job. Anyway best of luck with the exams, i'm sure you'll be fine! Bretty
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