Eating away the stress

For many, this time of year can be stressful. With exam season drawing closer, young people tend to forget to look after themselves properly.

Many young people aren’t aware of the importance in looking after their body and mind during this stressful period and often skip meals in return for an extra hour of study.

In the past there has been various suggestions as to which food fuels the brain best, but do they actually work?

Ipswich and East Suffolk NHS have provided information for the best way to combat stress.

Their research suggests that there are no secrets, simply eating a healthy and varied diet accompanied with frequent exercise is the best way to keep exam stress at bay.

Their studies indicate that teenagers often skip breakfast as they ‘don’t have time’ or would simply ‘rather be in bed’. According to Ipswich and East Suffolk NHS, this is not a good idea, in fact, it is very important to have breakfast to help tackle busy mornings.

Picture: topuniversities.com

Studies carried out by ‘Top Universities’ suggest that the 5 best foods to deal with stress and enhance exam performance are:

Oily fish

- full of protein and omega 3

Eggs

- Good brain food, one of the most versatile foods.

- Just one egg contains 6 grams of protein and vitamin b12 which aids concentration

Peanut Butter

- Contains healthy fats and lots of protein.

- Easy to add into meals, e.g. porridge or toast

- Generally, any kind of nuts are good in moderation

Dark Green Vegetables:

- These are “vital” in the run up to exams

- Full of vitamins which help with alertness and memory

Green Tea

- Can provide a useful boost immediately before an exam

- Boosts concentration and provides the body with lots of antioxidants

Fresh Fruit

- If you are looking for a sugar boost, fresh fruit is the best way.

- Full of natural sugars and contain antioxidants which are great for the body

- Dark coloured fruits such as blueberries are suggested to contain more antioxidants.

The Ipswich and Suffolk NHS’s top tips for combatting study stress:

Boost your Iron levels: this tip is important for young people as it can help with tiredness and concentration. This can be found in red meats, liver and dark green vegetables.

Drink plenty of fluids: studies suggest that people should aim for 8-10 glasses of water a day to help with concentration.

Build up your bone strength: Calcium is a very important part of a varied diet; especially for teenagers as some are still growing. Calcium can be found in milk, yoghurts and cheese which can easily be encompassed into a varied diet.

Avoiding energy drinks: consuming too many energy drinks can lead people to be reliant on their caffeine intake. Replace your energy drink for a glass of water and you will soon notice the difference.

EB