Exam-friendly food.

[Xenon14]

I have lsat exam on saturday, which will start at around 8:30am and will last 5+ hrs (exam, filling paper work out, listening to instructions...etc).

My question is what should I eat before the exam and wats a good snack half-way through the exam.

Obviously I want somethign that will keep me from being hungry, will keep me alert, and most importanly not upset my stomach. Any ideas?

 

[platinumike]

I always eat a big breakfast regardless of exams. If I were you I'd go with oatmeal, eggs,orange juice,water. You'll be fine.

 

[Crono]

Before the exam, couple slices whole grain toast (I like mine with just a touch of Smart Balance), some well-cooked bacon, and a cup of tea (green or white if you like tea- otherwise just regular water). Granola bars (I like Quaker's Chewy Chocolate chip) for snacks. Basically you want breakfast that will keep your blood sugar level elevated, but not spike it (might make you tired). Too much caffeine will make you piss a lot (tea has just enough to soothe but keep you alert, at least it does for me). You also dont want to be hungry, so having a little fat along with carbs is good for pre-exam breakfast. Fruits and juice are healthy, but also spike your sugar, and having too much liquids aint great.

Do some stretching (in seat) periodically if you've got the time. Helps greatly.

 

[Leeroy]

I wouldn't touch eggs for breakfast

 

[Leeroy]

I also wouldn't touch greasy bacon.

 

[erub]

i always eat eggs before a big exams

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: Leeroy
I also wouldn't touch greasy bacon.

Bacon doesn't need to be greasy. Can be crispy Nuke 'em if you don't like to cook. I myself stay away from dairy as a general rule before an important exam, though that is definitely one of my favorite food groups, otherwise (I have mild lactose intolerance). Plus, milk has tryptophan, which can make you sleepy (I think).

 

[axelfox]

Chili dogs.

Good luck with that test. I hated it.

 

[TheChort]

just eat whatever you are comfortable with at the moment
no point in stressing out over food, and adding to the stress of the day

unless you're one of those people that relaxes by cooking

oh, and for your snack, dont do turkey, it supposedly has something that puts you to sleep

 

[DAWeinG]

Stay away from any type of greasy or fatty food because it will slow down your brain. If you want long-lasting satisfaction, especially before a long exam... Eat something with complex carbs so that it will take longer to digest and yet it will keep supplying your body with energy constantly over time. Avoid high sugar foods because it will give you a shortlasting sugar rush with a longlasting downtime.

Anyways here's an article about the high fat content slowing down your brain...

Text

Snippet:

?Fatty foods slow down the brain and impair mental function, nutrition researchers have found. But they also make people more sociable.? The researchers found ?that a high fat content in the digestive system significantly reduces alertness and affects speed and accuracy in tasks requiring sustained attention.? Even higher calorie lower fat meals did not reduce mental function when compared to a higher fat meal.

One of the researchers, Anita Wells is reported to have said; ?Carbohydrates make you feel assertive and alert . . . Although fat makes you more lethargic and impairs mental performance, we found it does make people feel more friendly.?

Edit: A suggestion would be Kashi Go Lean protein bars. My local Costco carries them and they're advertised/marketed with everything stated above. Delivers constant flow of energy, no sugar spikes, keeps you satisfied for a long time. They taste pretty decent too. Comes in a box of 24 with 3 flavors. I'm pretty sure you can find them elsewhere besides Costco.

 

[DaWhim]

drink milk and eat fruits :evil:

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: DAWeinG
Stay away from any type of greasy or fatty food because it will slow down your brain. If you want long-lasting satisfaction, especially before a long exam... Eat something with complex carbs so that it will take longer to digest and yet it will keep supplying your body with energy constantly over time. Avoid high sugar foods because it will give you a shortlasting sugar rush with a longlasting downtime.

Anyways here's an article about the high fat content slowing down your brain...

Text

Snippet:

?Fatty foods slow down the brain and impair mental function, nutrition researchers have found. But they also make people more sociable.? The researchers found ?that a high fat content in the digestive system significantly reduces alertness and affects speed and accuracy in tasks requiring sustained attention.? Even higher calorie lower fat meals did not reduce mental function when compared to a higher fat meal.

One of the researchers, Anita Wells is reported to have said; ?Carbohydrates make you feel assertive and alert . . . Although fat makes you more lethargic and impairs mental performance, we found it does make people feel more friendly.?

Edit: A suggestion would be Kashi Go Lean protein bars. My local Costco carries them and they're advertised/marketed with everything stated above. Delivers constant flow of energy, no sugar spikes, keeps you satisfied for a long time. They taste pretty decent too. Comes in a box of 24 with 3 flavors. I'm pretty sure you can find them elsewhere besides Costco.

I think that particular study is questionable. And fat does keep you satisfied for the longest amount of time, compared to protein and carbohydates. Normally I would recommend cutting back on fat (saturated fat), but as a pre-exam meal, I think it's ok to have a little (no trans fatty acids, though), and I myself have never found it to hinder my mental acuity (that I could tell). However, you're absolutely right about complex carbs, and Kashi Go Lean bars are pretty good (not my favorite protein bars, but that's a matter of personal taste). Nearly every supermarket carries them, especially since Kellogg's owns Kashi.

EDIT: Haha, I spelled acuity wrong Fixed.

 

[Excelsior]

Oatmeal FTW.

Or mini wheats.

 

[Crono]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Oatmeal FTW.

Or mini wheats.

I love the Quaker guy. Slightly less creepy than the King. Plus, he makes some good instant oatmeal The King just wants to clog my arteries. *waits for King loyalists to attack*