What foods should you avoid before an exam?

Asked by: Miss Jeanie Olson  |  Last update: August 9, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (41 votes)

On exam day it's best to stay away from foods with a high amount of carbohydrates and sugar. That's a pretty broad category to stay away from, but if you avoid them overall you pretty much don't even have to check the nutrition facts.

What should you not eat before a test?

What are processed foods to avoid? It can be tempting to reach for ultra-processed foods to soothe any pre-exam stress. But high-sugar, high-fat and high-caffeine foods and drinks (ahem, chocolate, fast food, energy drinks, and sweets) can make you moody, irritable, and hyperactive.

Why you shouldn't eat before an exam?

But when carbs are eaten alone, like a big bowl of pasta, it will make you feel more relaxed rather than alert. Also, eating carbs in large quantities will make you feel super sleepy, something you definitely don't want during an exam.

Is it better to eat breakfast before an exam?

Better memory, attention & test scores

Kids who eat breakfast the morning before a standardized test have significantly higher scores in math, spelling and reading than those who don't. Breakfast eaters have better brain function, memory and attention.

Should you eat eggs before an exam?

These protein-rich foods can lead to greater mental alertness. Healthy food choices on exam day include eggs, nuts, yogurt, and cottage cheese. Good breakfast combinations might be whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk, eggs and toast with jam, porridge, oatmeal, or sugar-free muesli.

The 9 Worst Things to Eat When You're Starving

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Should I eat right before my exam?

Right before an exam you ideally want to feel full, but not to the point where you start feeling lethargic. So, for early morning exams, eat a light breakfast. For midday exams, eat a filling breakfast and a light lunch. For night exams, eat well for both breakfast and lunch, and then grab a light dinner.

Should I eat pasta before an exam?

Even if you're nervous, try to eat a full meal with protein, carbs, and vegetables. A good idea is to go for fish, greens, and healthy carbohydrates such as rice or whole wheat pasta. Try fruit or dark chocolate for dessert.

Is coffee good before an exam?

While there is no conclusive evidence that coffee can enhance your grades, there is proof that coffee helps students to be alert, attentive, and more absorbed during exam time. Coffee can help students increase retention of information which is important during an exam.

What foods enhance brain function?

Incorporating them into your diet can improve your mood, sharpen memory, and help your brain work at peak efficiency:
  1. Spices. In addition to adding flavor, spices are known their antioxidant properties. ...
  2. Fermented foods. ...
  3. Dark chocolate. ...
  4. Avocados. ...
  5. Nuts. ...
  6. Leafy greens.

Should I eat a banana before an exam?

Eating a banana will give your brain the healthy, natural, low GI sugar that it needs during exam time. Plus bananas also make you happy, literally! Bananas contain high levels of tryptophan, an amino acid, which is converted into serotonin in your body.

How can I stimulate my brain before an exam?

7 tips to sharpen your mind for exams
  1. Practice mindfulness. ...
  2. Destroy the distractions. ...
  3. If you don't snooze, you lose. ...
  4. A fit body helps a fit mind. ...
  5. Treat yo'self (to something healthy, of course) ...
  6. Pretty up the place. ...
  7. Don't be too hard on yourself!

What foods increase reaction time?

Vitamin-rich foods like broccoli, kale, and spinach are said to improve overall brain function. These small changes to your diet can have a profound effect on your reaction times. When your brain is able to reach peak performance levels, it's able to send off signals at incredibly fast speeds.

Should I eat oatmeal before a test?

Pre-test breakfast is also another excellent opportunity to fuel your body (and brain) with more complex carbohydrates to carry you through the test. Some great breakfast options include a whole grain cereal with low-fat milk, oatmeal with steel cut oats, eggs, lean or Canadian bacon, or sugar-free muesli.

Does eating affect test scores?

It's true! Eating healthy can improve your test scores by helping your brain refuel and stay energized, essentially. The brain is one of the most important and hard-working body parts.

How can I calm my nerves before an exam?

To help you stay calm and confident right before and during the test, perform relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, relaxing your muscles one at a time, or closing your eyes and imagining a positive outcome. Don't forget to eat and drink.

What should I drink before an exam?

Water: I'm mentioning this again to emphasize how important it is to drink water! Energy drinks can have ill health effects and should not be relied on as a source of energy. Our body needs water to function at its best.

Is too much caffeine before an exam bad?

Conclusion. Whatever you do, don't have so much caffeine or take it so late in the day that you lose sleep before a test. One problem with excessive caffeine consumption is that you can lose sleep. And sleep loss almost certainly interferes with academic performance.

What are the best snacks for test day?

Trail mix with nuts and dried fruit: The protein in nuts and natural sugars in fruit are great for your test day. Avoid super-sugary trail mixes, however, Celery or carrot sticks spread with cream cheese or peanut butter: Veggies and a protein will never steer you wrong.

How can I improve my concentration in exams?

Remove distractions
  1. Remove distractions. ...
  2. Make sure to put your phone on silent and keep it far away from your study table. ...
  3. Write your thoughts before studying. ...
  4. Take short breaks. ...
  5. Studying for long hours at a stretch can be exhausting. ...
  6. Play concentration games.

How long before an exam should I eat?

If an exam or test is in the morning, if you plan on eating a big meal, make sure to eat at least a half-hour to an hour before the test begins. If, by the time the test begins, your energy levels are dipping, carry a few squares of dark chocolate with you to eat right before the exam begins.

Is it good to take an exam on an empty stomach?

A balanced, healthy breakfast that's going to give you energy will help boost your brain and keep you going through the test. Test taking on an empty stomach just means you're depriving yourself of energy and making it harder to think.

How can I do better on tests?

The following are just suggestions to improve your study skills.
  1. Do the homework assignments daily. ...
  2. Write down all hard to remember formulas, equations, and rules as soon as you get the test. ...
  3. Read directions carefully. ...
  4. Show all work. ...
  5. Skip hard problems. ...
  6. Recheck problems. ...
  7. Write legibly.

Should I drink before my exam?

There are few formal, scientific studies about what to drink before exams, but the anecdotal evidence seems to point to water as the best beverage beforehand. It's important to get enough water so you don't become fatigued from dehydration. That said, you can get some water from drinking coffee or energy drinks.