Student diet especially critical during stressful exams

By Fritz Klug
Western Herald

(Brooke Klenow / Western Herald) Annalise Freytag, a WMU senior majoring in photography, enjoys a coffee, sandwich and carton of milk while studying during class in Kohrman Hall on Thursday. Freytag tries to eat a sandwich every day while in class.

Finals week. Schedules change, days free up. It becomes harder and harder to find a quiet spot in the library. Wastebaskets overflow with aluminum energy drink cans and paper coffee cups. More and more people are outside, smoking cigarettes.

Everyone is trying to find some way to stay awake and cram for an exam. The age-old maxim “you are what you eat” holds true.

But what food is good for brain activity? What are the proper liquids to stay awake late into the night? George Henry, health consultant at Sawall’s Health Foods on Oakland drive, has a few suggestions of what may and may not work for finals week.

“The best thing for the brain is fish,” Henry suggests.

Fish have fatty Omega-3 acids, which benefit the heart, red blood cells and the regulation of cholesterol. Since fish can contain high levels of lead and mercury, fish oil supplement pills are a good alternative.
Foods with a lot of amino acids and proteins will ease fatigue. This includes meat, egg, wheat and soy.
Vegetables are also vital in nourishing an examining body.

“The more antioxidants the better,” Henry said. Antioxidants clean up the electrons, refresh the brain and builds up the body’s immunity to fight. Berries, spinach and raisins have very high antioxidant levels.
Bottled juices are popular — Odwalla has a series of “brain boost.” Their juices are colorful, taste good, and have catchy titles like B-Monster, Mango Tango and Mo’Beta. They are indeed high in vitamins, but also in sugars.

“Sugar is sugar,” Henry said. “They wreak havoc with your blood sugar.”

High blood sugar levels cause disorientation and fatigue.

“So if you drink a big bottle of juice before an exam, your blood sugar is going to sky rocket and do more harm than the good of the vitamins.” Henry said that students should eat whole fruits, which have natural, fresh, slow releasing glucose sugars, like apples, oranges and bananas.

“I’ve always try to eat a well-balanced meal during finals week,” Ted Caulkins, a 20-year-old business management major said. Caulkins, like many other students who have taken finals in the past, have their own ways to nourish their bodies for finals.

“I always try to snack on fruits and vegetables while studying and drink a lot of water. It keeps everything clean,” Caulkins said.

A high fiber diet can also be beneficial, with vegetables such as kale, spinach, cucumbers and prunes. A large intake of fiber flushes toxins out of the body.

Now to the legendary “all-nighter.”

“No coffee,” Henry advises. “What goes up must come down.”

Coffee and caffeine stresses the adrenal glands, which causes tiredness. Teas with ginseng are a good alternative, which support the glands and have a minimal amount of caffeine.

There are some other herbs that can help out during finals week. Holy Basil helps balance stress, as does Licorice root, but should not be consumed by anyone who has blood pressure problems.

In the end it all returns to the fundamentals: water is the most important liquid to consume. Water hydrates the body and keeps everything functioning well.

“People don’t drink enough water because it doesn’t taste good. If you want it to taste better, add a bit of lemon,” Henry said.

Caulkins has his own diet for finals week.

“Either a 32oz of Mountain Dew every four hours, or an energy drink every three hours. Grab a Den Pop right before an exam, get that extra sugar boost. Caffeine works, even if it is a little artificial. If you’re gonna push it all night, drink lots of coffee.”

This is Caulkins’ fifth finals week.

“You have to find what works for you, whether coffee, energy drinks or tea, just keep your diet well balanced,” he said.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=2846

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Dec 7 2008. Filed under Campus, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com