Exam 2013: Exam v/s Food.

Exam time has almost arrived and every parent wishes to help their children stay physically and mentally healthy throughout this time.

Why eat breakfast?
Children should never skip breakfast as it causes lack of concentration in studies and weak memory. This meal is very important since it meet the needs of breaking the fast of 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
Breakfast can include oats, wheat flakes, milk, stuffed vegetable or panner chapattis with curd or sandwiches, egg or sprouts or idli. Avoid butter, ghee, cheese, and other oily foods.

Reason: These foods contain high level of protein that activates neurotransmitters and stimulates memory.

Why fruits and vegetables?
The best diet food during exams is lots of fresh foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, sprouted pulses, fish and egg.

Reason: These foods help to activate memory by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, brain chemicals involved in receiving, processing, storing, and accessing information optimally which are needed most during exams.

What to drink?
It would be good to have health drinks or soya drink instead of tea and coffee since tea and coffee are stimulants and cause sleep disturbance, muscular tension, anxiety. Also a few crushed almonds blended with milk or fresh fruit juices can add as energy drinks.
The best liquid to drink before and during an exam is water as it speeds up brain function.

What to do for physical fitness?
Eat a light meal if you plan to stay awake throughout the night. Also avoid oily or fried snacks as they will make you sleepy.
Remember gentle walking, swimming, jogging, cycling and jumping supports memory function and help in reducing the stress level.

What are worst foods?
The worst foods are all the processed ones that include soft drinks, cookies, cakes and junk food that should be avoided as they inhibit brain function.

Credit: http://www.indiancolleges.com/career-news/Exam-2013-Exam-v-s-Food/3547