Five Foods to Keep You Going During Finals

It’s finals week, which means that your body is probably suffering: from stress, from sleep deprivation, and from lack of general well-being. And because of everything else that’s going on, it can be really tempting to have a bag of Doritos and a cup of coffee for dinner. But don’t fall into the trap–treat your body better than that so that you can be the best you can be to write those essays and to take those exams. Here are some foods to help put you (and your final papers) at your best during finals week:

1.Tea

Nervous about all of those final essays that you need to write? Chances are, drinking a cup of hot tea when you are feeling stressed or before bed will help to calm you down. Drinking teas such as mint, chamomile, or lemon also provide you with much needed antioxidants and work to strengthen your immune system.

2. Avocados

Avocados are another food full of vitamins (such as B) which are ideal for strengthening your immune system. This is important because there’s nothing worse than getting sick during finals week. They’re also a good source of potassium (which helps control your blood pressure) and fiber (which will help you to feel fuller longer). No matter what, avocados are bound to boost your brain power.

3. Fish

Fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which means that eating fish will help your body to fight against depression. They are also a good source of vitamin D, perfect for those of us who have been lacking some sunshine during this Chicago winter. Lastly, some research suggests that the vitamin D from fish will also help you sleep better. Much needed during finals week!

4. Nuts

Different nuts are good for you in different ways. For example, cashews contain magnesium, which can help better your memory while pecans can help improve brain health. Pistachios are a good source of the vitamin B6 that might put you in a better mood and help strengthen your immune system.

5. Dark Chocolate

If you’re still looking to satisfy your sweet tooth during those late night writing sessions, opt for dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants; just make sure that you aren’t eating milk chocolate and that you don’t eat your dark chocolate with milk because it interferes with the antioxidants that your body would otherwise get. Overall, eat dark chocolate in moderation but when you do eat it, the darker the better.

So, what brain foods do you enjoy during finals week? If you have any additions, share them in the comments below!