Highlighters, sticky notes and Adderall are
items students turn to when it’s time to
study for classes. But there’s a healthier,
more enjoyable way to study this semester —
snacking.
Eating certain
foods can help students in math and history
classes by keeping them from daydreaming.
Students
having trouble in math class should consume
food rich in iron, such as lean beef or
fortified cereal, at least three times a
week. According to a study at the University
of Rochester's Children’s Hospital,
maintaining a healthy level of iron can
improve a student’s performance on math
tests.
Students on
the meal plan can find lean beef in a
variety of the foods offered in the dining
halls, said Food Services dietitian
Katherine Ingerson.
FIX-IT FOODS
Trouble with numbers?
What you need: Iron
Where to get it: Lean beef
and fortified cereal
Need to memorize facts?
What you need: Zinc
Where to get it: Almonds
Need to concentrate?
What you need: Complex
carbohydrates
Where to get it: Apples and
yogurt
|
|
Students
should choose beverages wisely during meal
time because, according to the University
Health Center Web site, www.uhs.uga.edu,
drinking tea or coffee with meals can block
75 percent of the iron a person would have
absorbed.
History
classes often demand memorization of
numerous dates and facts, which can become a
struggle. Eating a handful of almonds before
studying can make this task easier.
“Almonds
are high in zinc, which can help the brain
process information,” said Alice Bender, the
nutrition educator at the Health Center.
“Also, almonds’ combination of
carbohydrates, protein and monounsaturated
fat will make studying so much easier
because it increases concentration.”
Although
students aren’t allowed to take almonds out
of the dining halls, purchasing them from a
grocery store is inexpensive, and they are
available in a many flavors.
Spacing out
during class is a problem for some, and
turning to Adderall may not be a great idea.
On the surface, it seems the perfect
solution for improving concentration, but
its effects aren’t all beneficial.
“Students
who take Adderall without a prescription are
taking a huge risk,” said Alcohol, Tobacco
and Other Drug Health Educator Erin English
from the University Health Center. “The
non-medical user won’t be aware of
Adderall’s potential for interactions with
other substances, which can lead to brain
damage, insomnia, depression or many other
complications.”
For a
healthier solution, try eating an apple or
yogurt as a mid-morning snack.
“These
items contain complex carbohydrates that
will keep you alert right up to lunch,”
Bender said. “The apple will give you a
quick energy fix, while yogurt tends to keep
your energy up for a while.”
Both of
these items are fairly inexpensive and can
be found in the University dining halls.
Although yogurt can’t be taken, if a student
is eating an apple while leaving the dining
hall, cashiers and managers will usually let
them take it, Ingerson said.
This
semester, every student can make the Dean’s
list, one almond at a time.
Article courtesy of
www.redandblack.com |
