While energy drinks and coffee are tempting, they’re not the best choices for finals.
Instead, employees at the Center for Student Wellness want to help students make healthy decisions about what to eat, especially under the stress that comes with testing. They suggest fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy products to stay energized. Eating fish, which contains choline, can improves one’s memory, and yogurt, which is full of calcium, helps with nerves.
Empty calories, on the other hand, commonly have a high amount of fat, sugars and carbohydrates, which can increase blood glucose levels and cause more stress.
As far as drinks go, caffeinated beverages, such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate and energy drinks contain neuro-stimulators that can cause anxiety and an inability to sleep. Better beverage choices include herbal teas, such as chamomile, because they relax the body and help students stay hydrated.
Shaye Taeoalii, a sophomore in communication, follows this advice.
“I try to stay healthy all year, but especially during finals week,” Taeoalii said.
Students should also eat a large breakfast, with light snacks and meals throughout the day, so their hunger is satisfied and food cravings are minimized. Emma Phelps, a senior in English, has mastered this technique.
“For finals, I go to Smith’s and Walmart and buy snack packs and plan my meals, so I can try to be healthy, especially since there’s not very much time,” she said.
For more information or help with planning meals, students can visit wellness.utah.edu or www.choosemyplate.gov.
@chriswritine