Eat This!

Eat This!It’s true that a quick fix, such as an instant sugar boost will help you pull that all-nighter off, but will it really help you pass the text the next day?

It seems that students will try anything to improve their mood and study habits. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a friend pop prescription pills or down ounce after ounce of energy drinks, just so they can focus a little better.

There’s a better alternative out there for us though. One that is less harmful to the body, and is actually good for you: fiber. I know, I know. You think fiber is for old people trying to regulate their systems, but has more benefits than just making you regular!

Nutrition expert, Betty Kovacs of Ask the Expert on MedicineNet.com explains that “Several studies suggest that the intake of carbohydrates from food sources that are high in fiber and low in sugar or refined flour may be favorable for some parameters of cognitive performance. The reason that this may work is because the high-fiber foods stay in your system longer and do not give the quick rise in blood sugar that you would get from foods made from refined flour or sugar.”

Even celebrities are catching on to the fact that high-fiber diets can help them. Not only does it you fuller longer, thus making you hungry less often, but it also helps them focus while trying to learn their dreadfully hard scripts. The “Zone Diet” which focuses on eating high-fiber foods is a favorite of Jennifer Aniston, Cindy Crawford and Charlie Sheen.

Foods that pack the fiber punch include broccoli, apples, blueberries, grapefruits, baked potato, cooked peas, bran cereal, almonds, and black beans. A full list of high fiber foods can be found at: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art49479.asp.

Even with crazy class and work schedules it’s not that hard to try to include extra fiber in your diet. There are so many choices out there that almost anyone should be able to find something they enjoy that can boost their retention of vocabulary terms.

It may be easier to order a pizza and a 2 liter bottle of Pepsi from Dominoes than to go to the grocery store and stock up on a box of FiberOne cereal and blueberries, but which do you think is going to help you study longer and more effectively?

So, here’s a little food for thought: the next time you have a big test coming up, microwave a bowl of canned peas, pretend your mother is forcing you to eat them and wash them down with a big glass of milk. I know I wasn’t the only 10 year old doing that in order to get dessert!

Mangi e sia felice (Eat and Be Happy),

Molly

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