There isn’t a study that proves it yet, but we can all agree that revising seems to bring on a particular type of hunger that must be immediately satisfied with whatever is closest to us. Unfortunately, that normally tends to be a bar of chocolate, a student discounted Domino’s pizza or that packet of Hobnobs you promised yourself you would only eat if you finished revising.
There’s nothing wrong with eating while revising of course, but there are some types of food that are better than others.
Here are six of the best revision foods.
A whole lot of whole grains
The brain can’t work without energy, and during revision, you need all the energy you can get. Wholegrains release a steady and sufficient supply of energy, in the form of glucose, into the bloodstream- keeping you full of energy throughout the day.
Start your day off with some porridge. Not only does it take minutes to make, but as it’s broken down slowly in our bodies, it gives us a slow release of energy throughout the morning as well as some energy boosting B-Vitamins. You can also get your whole grain fix from cereals, brown rice and pasta, and brown bread.
Bring on the blueberries
Research suggests that the consumption of blueberries may be effective in improving or delaying short term memory loss, perfect for last minute cramming. So if you have a sweet tooth, substitute the skittles for a bowl of blueberries. Not only do they taste great, but they are also packed with antioxidants and can be consumed in a variety of ways.
Use blueberries to spruce up your salad, add them to a bowl of porridge or even a smoothie.
Believe in broccoli
Remember all those times your parents told you to eat your greens? Well, turns out they were onto something. Broccoli is a great source of Vitamin K. And Vitamin K is known to enhance cognitive function and improve brainpower. It’s also high in fibre, which means you stay fuller for longer, stopping you reaching for those sugary snacks during revision time. If you’re not too keen on having the green monster on its own, add some broccoli to a stir fry, or soup.
A fish a day
Salmon, sardines and mackerel are some of the healthiest types of fish you can buy. They are high in protein and Omega 3, and provide you with all the essential fatty acids that the body can’t produce naturally. Oily fish is often noted for being one of the best brain foods, with studies showing that eating oily fish can improve your brain’s functionality, help you focus, and study more efficiently.
Love it or hate it
Believe it or not, but everyone’s favourite (or least favourite) spread Marmite, is one of the best things to eat while revising. Marmite is a great source of thiamine and pyridoxine, which both play a role in neurotransmitter production thereby strengthening your memory and cognition. Scientists have even labelled it the latest superfood because of its nutritional value. Apparently, it also makes your skin glow. And who doesn’t want to walk into an exam hall, head full of knowledge and skin glowing.
The one that’s too good to be true
We saved this one until last because we knew you would like it.
Dark chocolate is the perfect revision food, thanks to the flavonoids it contains which improve cognitive ability. Compounds in dark chocolate boost memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem-solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain. Chocolate also contains some caffeine to give you a brain boost, as well as magnesium. Magnesium reduces stress by suppressing the release of the stress hormone cortisol and is often referred to as the original chill pill.
There are plenty more revision foods that can boost energy and help you retain information, but if you feel a marmite and dark chocolate smoothie still isn’t doing the trick, get in contact with us and we’ll see how we can help.