Skip to main content

Tips to Consider as you Study for Finals

Keep in mind that during finals, it is so very important to get enough sleep, fit in some form of physical activity, and make healthy food choices most of the time.

Many people find that when they are stressed they eat more than planned. Well there might be a reason for that- based on a study from the University of Michigan- when levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) increase, people tend to eat more snack foods (specifically carbohydrate based foods).

Something to consider: A healthy lifestyle can improve your focus and concentration, which can help you to be more efficient and can actually result in you completing your work in less time.

Take breaks when you think you need them
Too much stress can disrupt your efforts of being organized. Take a break when you think you need one! Even if it is taking a 10-minute walk or making a quick phone call to a friend.

Avoid too much caffeine
Caffeine may give you a quick boost- but don’t overdo it! If you drink too many caffeinated beverages it may increase dehydration as these beverages may end up taking the place of water or other hydrating beverages.  Avoid caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon as this could disrupt your sleep at night.

Eat small frequent meals throughout the day
Avoid long stretches between meals and snacks. If you go longer than 4 hours without eating you will begin to feel fatigued, which may result in decreased concentration.

Pre-plan meals and snacks
When you plan ahead it can help you cut down on making impulsive less healthy choices.

Limit consumption of high-fat and high sugar snacks
These foods can zap your energy level. It is important to keep your energy level up by choosing healthy snacks as often as possible.

High-energy snack options
  • Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
  • Apple or banana with peanut butter
  • Low-fat yogurt with fruit or whole grain crackers
  • Carrots and hummus
  • Low-fat pudding
  • Vegetable soup
  • A handful of trail mix 
  • A handful of nuts
  • A bowl of cereal
  • Oatmeal made with milk
  • A piece of fruit and a cheese stick
  • Tortilla chips and guacamole
Resources:
  1. Stress Management: Stress Basics. Accessed April 18, 2017. http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/basics/stress-basics/hlv-20049495
  2. Learn to Manage Stress.  Accessed April 18, 2017 https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001942.htm
  3. Emotional vs. Mindful Eating. Accessed April 17, 2017. https://helpguide.org/articles/diet-weight-loss/emotional-eating.htm#hunger
  4. Cortisol: The Stress Hormone. Accessed April 17, 2017
  5. http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/cortisol_the_stress_hormone


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

National Nutrition Month 2017: Plant Power

If you follow food trends, you’ve surely noticed that plant-based foods, recipes and restaurants have been getting a larger share of the spotlight lately. Does this mean that more of us are becoming vegetarians? Should we be? Why more plants? Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, peas, nuts and seeds are key features of some of the healthiest diets in the world. Plant based foods are a common theme in the Mediterranean Diet, the DASH Diet and most dietary guidelines. The balance of health promoting nutrients with moderate calories and less of the stuff we should be limiting make plant based foods an easy fit for most people. Looking beyond personal health, to the health of our planet, plant based foods tend to more sustainable and less taxing on the environment. What is a flexitarian? Or a pescatarian? With the expansion of plant foods on our plates has come an expansion of how we refer to the way we eat. Vegetarian still refers to people who don’t eat meat, fish or poultry, but the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Are you a Healthy Shopper?

Does where you buy your food determine how healthy you are? A recent study suggests that there may be a link between the type of store where you do most of your food shopping and your weight and the health of your diet overall. Which stores were better? Some of the results were what you might expect. People who shopped often at convenience stores ate fewer fruits and vegetables. Convenience stores don’t tend to have large produce departments, so this makes sense. Fruits and vegetables were a bigger part of the diets of people who frequented supermarkets and specialty stores. Overall diet quality was highest in those who shopped at food co-ops. From a weight perspective, people who shopped at specialty stores and farmers markets tended to weigh less and people who shopped at food co-ops had smaller waists. Which comes first? Now the question is, do healthy people tend to shop at certain stores or do certain shopping habits make you healthier? This recent study isn’t able to say for sure...
Post a Comment
Read more

Eat Right Live Well - December 2014

Post a Comment
Read more