Eat your way to good grades!

Exam season is approaching, which can make it challenging to prioritise healthy habits due to late-night studying, lack of sleep, piles of highlighted study notes and textbooks. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle even during challenging times will help you get the best outcome.

You may not know it, but your diet has a direct impact on how your body operates under various circumstances. Certain foods can boost mental clarity, memory recall and overall well-being, and can also boost energy levels. Here are a few guidelines for students to maintain a healthy lifestyle during exam time.

Rule 1: Never skip a meal

Sometimes you might feel tempted to skip a meal in order to finish studying one more chapter, but ignoring your hunger cues and skipping a meal is only going to set you back.

The brain requires adequate glucose for proper functioning. While studying, there is a constant inclination to munch on sweets (biscuits, chocolates) and heavily salted foods (crisps, farsan). Simple sugars from candies and sweets cause a brief spike in energy, which is followed by a collapse in blood sugar levels that causes exhaustion, lethargy and other symptoms.

Include slow-releasing carbohydrates in your meals, such as whole grain roti, bread or porridge made with whole rolled oats. Add a protein-rich food such as milk, yoghurt or eggs, to your meal to help you feel satiated for a longer period.

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